Hebrews 7: Melchizedek
Monday, December 2, 2019
Reubens: The Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek
From the CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE: “Why is so much attention paid to a figure who appears only twice in Scripture? Because both appearances point toward Christ. In Genesis 14,7-20, Melchizedek is named a priest of God [although he was a Gentile!], whom even Abraham acknowledged. Logically, then, a priest descended from him would be superior to one descended from Abraham! And Melchizedek’s second scriptural appearance is in verse 4 of that very Psalm 110 which Christians regarded as a literal prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection. Melchizedek’s being ‘without beginning or end’ (because Scripture records neither his birth nor his death) is therefore an anticipation of the Son of God whose priesthood is eternally valid; conversely, Jesus is a priest ‘according to the order (rank) of Melchizedek’ (Ps 110,4). In his resurrection, Jesus became priest “by the power of a life that cannot be destroyed” (7,16). He ‘remains forever’ (7,24). His sacrifice is ‘once for all’ (7,27). He ‘lives forever to make intercession’ (7,25). The Jewish priesthood descended from Abraham cannot compete. God’s revelation in Jesus does not merely continue the former story, it raises it to a new plane. Jesus’ death and resurrection mark an absolute beginning”. (Senior RG 545)
Melchizedek comes to us as a unique figure; we know so little about him and yet he holds so much importance. In a way, he mirrors many of us. History will record little about us and yet we each make an important contribution to the collective human story. Many will argue that we are far different from Melchizedek in that he was a priest and we are not. Yet others will reply that each of us – as followers of Christ – has the potential to sanctify, to bless and anoint.
This reflection does not present a theological argument but rather it posits a thought for us to mull and turn over. What do we know about Melchizedek? What does his relationship with Abraham and Jesus have to say to us today? How will our lives – and the lives of those we touch each day – improve as a result of our reflection on this mysterious man from the distant past? What and whom do we sanctify with our belief in the Living God? Why and when do we make our relationships holy – even with our enemies? How and why do we bless and anoint others with our words and actions?
What does the man Melchizedek mean to us today? And how do we show the world what we have learned from him?
Senior, Donald, ed. THE CATHOLIC STUDY BIBLE. New York, Oxford University Press, 1990. RG 545. Print.
A re-post from November 11, 2012.
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