We are about to behold a priest without peer. Just to say the word priest or preacher brings to mind all kinds of stories where the clergy became the laughing stock of the joke. Such as: A bus driver and a priest died at the same time. Although the bus driver was sent directly to heaven, the priest's case was apparently harder to decide. "I don't mind that you sent a bus driver to heaven," the priest complained, "but, after all, I was a priest, so why should I be kept waiting?" He was answered by a voice from on high, "Father, when you were preaching, everyone was falling asleep, but when the bus driver was driving, everyone was praying."
One of my best friends, when I was a pastor in Missouri, was the Roman Catholic priest who ministered in the same town as I. He was Irish, had a sense of humor that was both gentle and hilarious, and was one of the most deeply committed to Christ ministers that I have ever known. But not all priests are of such godly character. The news has recently been filled with the scandal of priests who sexually abuse children and in other ways violate the vocation that is theirs.
The sad truth is that "bad apples" are in every area of society's leadership; it just appears much worse when it is a minister of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who is guilty. People expect more (and have a right to), of those who have been ordained and set apart for the administration of Word and sacraments, and it is tragic when such are found to betray that high and holy calling.
Today's text deals with a superior priest. He is named Melchizedek, King of Salem. Three times he is mentioned in the Bible: in this text, in Psalm 110:4, and in three chapters in Hebrews. As difficult and enigmatic as this passage in Genesis is, it is still rich in typology when we untangle its knotty meaning. Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek can be seen as a type of our Lord Jesus Christ. The verse in the 110th Psalm, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek," was given a Christological reading early in the Christian church. In fact, this passage is the middle ground which establishes a link between our text and the New Testament mention of him. Melchizedek, then, is the prototype of the only real high priest we Christians have: Jesus our Lord. What Melchizedek did for Abraham, Jesus, our High Priest, does for us. However, Christ does far, far more.
Refreshment With Bread And Wine
Melchizedek refreshed Abraham with bread and wine. Abraham had just experienced a great victory over the five kings of Sodom, and now, after the conflict, this man of faith was refreshed by the appearance of Melchizedek. Melchizedek brought out bread and wine to Abraham and blessed him. Jesus, our High Priest, our heavenly Melchizedek, brings out bread and wine, but because Christ is so far superior to Melchizedek, he offers us his own body and blood. Christ first gave the precious body and blood as he offered himself on Calvary's tree for our sins, and that redemption, so dearly purchased, redeems us as we bow in repentance and faith at his cross. As our Mediator and Intercessor, he continues to pray and intercede for us at the Father's right hand in heaven. With poignant understanding of this great sacrifice, Charles Wesley wrote:
Five bleeding wounds he bears, received on Calvary; They pour effectual prayers, They strongly plead for me. "Forgive him, O, forgive!" they cry, "Nor let that ran- somed sinner die."
And still our High Priest continues to refresh us at his table as we partake of the bread and wine of holy communion. There, again, we find forgiveness for our sins. No other priest, no other mediator, offers so much to those who are so unworthy.
Alexander Whyte, that prince of preachers in St. George's Church, Edinburgh, in the early years of this century, once told of attending a service of holy communion conducted by John Duncan, the well-known Scottish divine of an earlier day. Noticing a woman shake her head when the elder passed the cup to her while tears ran down her cheeks, Dr. Duncan stepped down from behind the altar table and taking the cup from the elder, he passed it to the woman and said, "Take it, woman, for it is for sinners."
What good news for all of us that is: Christ still receiveth sinners and eateth with them, offering his own self to renew our souls. Coca Cola may be the "pause that refreshes," but this refreshment from our heavenly High Priest restores and energizes us for the journey of life as no other bread and wine can do!
Melchizedek Blessed Abraham
Then, having given him bread and wine, Melchizedek blessed Abraham in the name of the most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And what a rich blessing it was! His words spoken that day became a standard liturgical formula in Israel. In fact, it became a doxology of praise!
Interesting, isn't it, that all of the creation of the Creator seems to want to sing his praise! Warbling birds in early dawn seem to proclaim their joy in being a part of God's handiwork. According to research conducted by the National Geographic Society, the 40-ton creation of God, the humpback whale, has a fascinating singing ability. Recordings have been made of the whale singing in various pitches in solos, duets, trios, and choruses of dozens of interweaving voices, lasting from 6 to 30 minutes. What an experience it is to hear, over one's stereo system, songs from the deep of the ocean sung by these whales.
The passage comes to mind, "Praise him down here on earth you creatures of the ocean depths" (Psalm 148:7). Melchizedek's blessing was actually a doxology that reminds us of our "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow" hymn. In fact, there are five passages in the Psalms which use this same doxology spoken by Melchizedek. Though these words name God as Creator, they not so much emphasize a concern over how the world came to be, but rather what God, who did create, wants to do for us. It is a "given" that God made everything, but this blessing reminds us that the God who did this is a reality now, and that he makes a difference in our present!
The Blessing Brings Help
As Melchizedek gave the blessing, and then the psalmist echoed it again and again, we begin to see how involved God wants to be with us. Most of us have little trouble believing how involved God wants to be with us. Most of us have little trouble believing that the Omnipotent God created our marvelous universe. Our problem arises out of our doubt that such a One could be interested in our finite selves and our individual situations.
Dr. Robert Stackel tells of an old man who lived on the street and who one day became very ill and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors realized he could not live very long. They tried to find the old man's name, but all the old man would say was, "Son! Son!" In looking through his clothing for identification, they could only find a news clipping about a marine who was stationed in Korea. The Red Cross located this marine and flew him back to the United States and to the hospital. As the young man walked into the hospital room, the old man smiled broadly and exclaimed, "Son!" For several hours the young man sat by the bed and held the old man's hand until he died peacefully. After his death the nurse said to the marine, "We need to know your father's full name." The marine replied, "He wasn't my father. I never saw the man before in my life." Amazed, the nurse asked, "Then why did you stay?" The boy answered, "Because he needed me."
When the psalmist prayed Melchizedek's blessing (Psalm 121:2), he found, as do we, real comfort and assurance in a present God. "My help comes from the Lord, Maker of heaven and earth." Henry F. Lyte knew God was a present help when he wrote:
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Some time ago I attended the large wedding of a nephew. My sister-in-law, Mary Louise, had recommended her hairdresser as someone who would shampoo and set my hair for me. Stephen, her hairdresser, who was Greek Orthodox, was nervous and excited over the big event, and was taking his responsibilities very seriously. He had never done my hair before, of course, and was so afraid he would not do it right. I assured him that it would be fine, but he still couldn't get it done to his own satisfaction. He worked and worked, and became more and more agitated. Finally, he excused himself and disappeared for a couple of minutes, then returned and went back to work. Soon I heard him whisper to himself, "Thank the Lord, I think I'm getting it." I asked him, not really expecting an affirmative answer, "What did you do, Stephen -- go pray?" "Oh, yes," he readily agreed. "See that picture of the Lord over there. I went over and kissed Jesus and asked for his help!"
The truth is, God is always on-call to help us when we need his Divine aid. In the days of the romantic sailing vessels, the three signal flags B.N.C. meant, "I will not abandon you." This was the most important promise a ship could make as it drew up alongside of its distressed sister ship which it had come to help. It meant life, help, courage, and the promise that a friend was near. In much the same way, God has made the cross of Christ his signal flag to distressed humanity. He will not abandon us, nor leave us, nor forsake us .... "Our help comes from the Lord."
Who of us is ever so independent that we do not need the aid of another? But sometimes the "other" is unwilling to help us, or too weak, or too busy. That is never the case with our all-sufficient High Priest. It is said of him again and again in the scriptures, "He is able! He is able! He is able! Able to help, able to deliver, able to save, able to heal, able to forgive -- He is able!"
The Doxology Is A Blessing
Melchizedek's doxology is spoken by the psalmist as a blessing from God: "May the Lord of heaven and earth bless you from Zion" (Psalm 134:3). More than any other verses in Genesis do these words of Melchizedek invite us to take our faith out of worrying about "creation origins," and believe that God would like to bless us! He is our Source, not only for life, but also for buoyancy, and even joy in the trials of our way.
Because God is God, he can both curse and he can bless. Woe to those whom God curses, whether it be an individual or nation! It is devastating when the curse and the judgment of God falls upon the disobedient, upon the blasphemer, and upon the unrepentant. God's eyes are ever upon us: upon those who do evil and those who do good. He never sleeps; nothing escapes him. He is not hoodwinked by our easy rationalizations for our sins. He misses nothing. He knows the thoughts of our hearts. He interprets all we do in the light of his commands. We almost find ourselves agreeing with Dennis the Menace in a cartoon which shows him leaving the church with his parents saying, "If God is always watching me, he must catch me being good once in a while!"
How happy we are when God can bless our lives as we try to follow him in obedience and integrity. It is always grace, mercy, love, and unspeakable joy when God blesses. His loving benediction is all we ever need or desire. A young minister, having preached his sermon, raised his hand and began the benediction, "Go in hope, and offer hope to all of God's people. Go in peace, and make peace to all of God's people. Go in love, and make love to all of ... Oh, well, you know what I mean. Amen."
But the true benediction and blessing of God upon us is glorious indeed. How wonderful it is, as we leave the house of worship on Sunday, to hear the pastor say this familiar blessing for us, on God's behalf: "The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord look upon you with favor, and grant you peace." No doubt about it: Jesus, our great Melchizedek, our High Priest and Mediator, is superior to all others! He is our Priest without peer!
Christ is greater, for his credentials are based upon his death and glorious resurrection. Melchizedek is no more, Christ is forever! Christ stands above all other priests because of the power of his indestructible life (Hebrews 7:25). None can ever compare to this matchless, incomparable, and unique Priest of ours. Of whom else could it ever be said, "He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25)?
So, Christians, why be anxious? Why be full of worry and care? Your High Priest comes to meet you with wounded hands, to refresh and help and bless!