Melchizedek: A Type of Christ

 

 

There is some uncertainty

Regarding who really was Melchizedek,

Whether a type of, or Christ himself,

Need not be a fret.

 

I have had my own struggle;

Sometimes I am not too sure

But I am becoming increasingly settled;

Much more than I was before.

 

Devout Christian commentators

Have argued both positions

But understanding or accepting either

Does not influence salvation.

 

Of critical importance, though,

Is that one accepts Jesus Christ,

He is the only mediator between God and man

And it is he who paid sin’s price.

 

That Melchizedek is a type of Christ,

I absolutely have no doubt,

As one studies Hebrews chapter 7

This is clearly borne out.

 

Christ is after the Melchizedek order

Even though he was before,

Hence, he is greater than Melchizedek

Being our High Priest, for sure.

“After the order” seems to suggest

Two distinctly different persons,

A priest after the order of Melchizedek

But differently from after Aaron’s.

 

There are instructive similarities

Not least, that of king and priest

And with Jesus coming on the scene

The Aaronic priesthood ceased.

 

Melchizedek was the priest of Salem

A priest of the “most high” God,

That made him a priest of Jesus Christ

The one who issues the call.

 

He was also King of Salem

King of righteousness and of peace,

He was set in the way of Abraham

And on him a blessing released.

 

Jesus also combines both offices

But is forever both King and Priest,

A priest forever unto God

And his kingdom shall never cease.

 

Neither King David nor Aaron

Could ever interchange their role,

They dealt with the concerns of their offices

And stuck to what they were told.

 

King Saul was somewhat different

And refused to wait on Samuel,

In his impatience he offered sacrifices

On behalf of the Israelite people.

 

 

Throughout the Old Testament

There is a myriad of shadows and types,

These were all instituted by God

To foreshadow the coming Light.

 

So that with the advent of Jesus,

There is no longer a need for these,

Jesus is the fulfilment of every iota

And he is become our central creed.

 

We are constituents of his kingdom

Meaning all of the born-again,

He is our High priest and coming King

And at present in heaven he reigns.

 

Neither his reign nor priestly role

Will ever come to an end,

He has made us saints and priests

And yet he calls us friends.

 

Out of the royal tribe of Judah

And of the order of Melchizedek

Came our kinsman priest-king redeemer,

The Christ who has cancelled our debts.

 

Stewart Russell © June 2020