GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY MODULE 25 / THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH SEMINARY

MODULE 25

THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK

Objectives;
1. By the end of this Module, you should;
1. Know who Melchizedek is
2. Have knowledge of the link between the King of Salem,     Melchizedek, and Jesus Christ
3. Have reflective knowledge on the importance of the priesthood according to the Order of Melchizedek for the priest of today

Contents;
1. The Order of Melchizedek
2. Melchizedek in the Old Testament
3. Jesus as High Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek
4. Who was Melchizedek?
5. What does Melchizedek mean to the priest of today?
6. Melchizedek and Jesus
 
1. The Order of Melchizedek
  Humanity does not confer the true identity of priesthood on a priest; this is done only by God.
  The King of Salem, Melchizedek,  had been blessed by the Almighty as priest of God Most High [Genesis 14;18].
  Melchizedek knew the power and symbol of the bread and wine which were to eventually blossom in their fullness as the Eucharist - the Body and Blood - of Jesus Christ in the Service of Communion.
  The great priest Melchezedek brought out bread and wine, and then blessed Abram, with the great prayer;
  'Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of Heaven and earth.
  And praise be to God Most High,
    Who delivered your enemies into your hand.' [Genesis 14;18-20]

The priesthood of the great King is spoken of as 'the Priesthood according to the Order of Melchizedek' and is not conferred by any earthly authority.
  The rite of ordination is a recognition and outward confirmation of the inner ordination by the Spirit of God.

  Certain people have been called to this priesthood by God and are, by nature, priests 'according to the Order of Melchizedek'.
  This ordination confers certain duties upon the priest; the main one being that once the priest is ordained, the ordination is for ever.
  The priest takes on the responsibility to witness to God in all circumstances and at all times.
  Psalm 110;4 written under the inspiration of Almighty God, states;
 'The LORD had sworn
  And will not change His Mind;
 "You are a priest forever,
  According to the order of Melchizedek" '.

2. Melchizedek in the Old Testament
  The meaning of the name 'Melchizedek' is 'King of Righteousness'. In the Genesis narrative, Melchizedek is honoured by Abram, both as King of Salem and a priest of God Most High.
  Abram [Abraham] recognized Melchizedek's priestly status and tithed to him.
  When Abram entered the land of Canaan around 2000 BC, the city of Jerusalem was called Salem [Genesis 14].
  Melchizedek's city was called Salem - also called Shalem - which is also the name of GOD whose worship was centered in the city.
  The full Name of GOD was 'GOD Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth', since He was the God of Creation.
  Abram recognized GOD in verse 22 of Genesis Chapter 14, when he said to the King of Sodom;
  'I solemnly swear to the LORD, GOD Most High, Creator of Heaven and Earth.'
  Abram called Him LORD, which is the word YHWH, the name of the Covenant GOD of Israel.
 
  Melchizedek represents a superior order of the priesthood which reached its fulfilment in Jesus Christ.
  The giving of bread and wine as a sacrament to Abram later became the hallmark of the Christ and a symbol of the outpouring of Christ's Life into the world.
  In presenting the bread and wine to Abraham so long ago, Melchizedek infused Abraham with the Christ principle, prophesying forward to things at that time yet to come.

3. Jesus as High Priest according to the Order of Melchizedek
  The author of the Letter to the Hebrews uses the figure of Melchizedek in his theological reflection on the significance of Jesus' death.
  Jesus' life, death and resurrection were the great catalyst in the history of salvation which GOD the LORD brought about.
  Hebrews 4;14-16 speaks of Jesus as the Great High Priest;
'Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin.
Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.'

4. Who was Melchizedek?
It has been said that Melchizedek was Noah's son Shem, who, according to biblical records, was still alive at the time of the Genesis report.
  The name of Melchizedek's city was originally 'Yerushalem'.
'Shalem' comes from the name of GOD worshipped in the city by Melchizedek.
  The word 'yeru' means 'foundation stone' or 'cornerstone'. The name Jerusalem thus means 'the foundation stone of Shalem' and refers to the original cornerstone laid by the Creator of the Universe when He built the earth.

  Melchizedek - as previously discussed - was the king of this city, which was located on the southern part of the Eastern Hill between the Kidron Valley and the Central Valley.
  Abraham met Melchizedek in the Valley of Shaveh, that is the King's Valley [Genesis 14;17].
  This would be at the south end ridge of the city, where the Kidron and Hinnom valleys meet.

5. What does Melchizedek mean to the priest of today?
  Melchizedek is known as king, prophet, and priest.
The priest today is - as Melchizedek ministered in Shalem - also 'Priest of God Most High.'  The priest must thus live in a way that honors the God of all; and be faithful to the priestly ministry.
  We have been called to the ministry in order that we may spread the Good News of the Kingdom of Heaven; not to sit idle while those in need hunger and thirst for the Word of God.

  Blessings in patriarchal times were not to be given lightly; they were tangible, and once given - could not be taken back.
  The last person to receive a blessing from Noah was his oldest son; Shem. Shem [Melchizedek] - King of Salem - passed the blessing on to his descendent Abraham, the one chosen by God to be father of many nations.

  As priests we are called upon to impart the blessing of God to those most in need. A blessing is not to be given only to those who would deserve it. That would exclude most - if not all.
  We - due to the effects of the Fall that rendered our bond with the Almighty God fractured - are all sinners in nature.
  No; blessings are to be given to those in need; as priests, GOD the LORD will direct us throughout our ministry where to impart His healing blessing.
  The great blessing and the Peace of Almighty GOD is always given at the benediction at the end of the Eucharist.
  The blessing is not ours as priest; nor does the blessing belong to us.
  The blessing belongs to GOD; as His ministers we spread His Word and act as conduit for GOD's blessing to those in need.

  Melchizedek was priest who offered sacrifice of bread and wine.
Thus Melchizedek prophesied the great Sacrament of Eucharist which came about in the fullness of time.
 Jesus Christ, the great High Priest, offered the sacrifice of His Precious Divinity through the bread and wine.
  Priests offer bread and wine in sacrament in obedience to Jesus' directive [Matthew 26;26-29].
 This sacrifice - stemming from early times and offered by Melchizedek - was fulfilled by Jesus Christ to be His very Body and Blood, in manner divinely mysterious.

6. Melchizedek and Jesus
  God's Divine Plan is clearly seen through Salvation History. That Jesus the Messiah came when He did was not some random occurrence; but had been planned out from before by our Loving Father.
  God wants to give us the tools to return to His Presence in Heaven. He chose priests according to the Order of Melchizedek to facilitate this great plan.

  Let us be worthy.