THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK
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The name “Melchizedek” appears only in three books of the Bible namely: Genesis, Psalms, and the Letter to the Hebrews. Benedict XVI said that the priesthood of the New Testament is not only linked to Christ in order for us to understand its theology, but we go back to the mysterious figure of Melchizedek in the Old Testament. He said that “the brief passage from the Book of Genesis (cf. 14: 18-20) says that Melchizedek, King of Salem, was “priest of God Most High” and therefore “brought out bread and wine” and “blessed him [Abram],” who had just returned after winning a battle. Abram himself gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. In the last verse, the Psalm in turn contains solemn words, sworn by God himself who declares to the Messiah-King: “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek” (Ps 110[109]: 4); thus the Messiah is not only proclaimed King but also Priest.” 5) Benedict XVI says that Melchizedek is also joined with Abel as “holy pagans” who prefigures Christ in the New Testament. He said: “the Roman Canon cites Abel, Abraham, Melchizedek, including them among those who celebrate the Eucharist, it is in the conviction that in them also, the great offerers, Christ was passing though time, or perhaps better, that in their search they were advancing toward a meeting with Christ.”
Genesis 14: 18-20- Melchizedek is first mentioned in Genesis 14 who introduces himself as priest of the Most High God and the King of Salem. He is a King and Priest who is one outside of Israel. It is in this verse that the term “priest” is mentioned for the first time. Melchizedek is a mysterious figure who foreshadows Christ in the New Testament. Christ is the fulfillment of the prophecy that is carried by the identity and nature of the priesthood of Melchizedek: 1) It was Melchizedek who blessed Abraham; 2) the priest Melchizedek brought bread and wine for offering; 3) Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils from the victory over the kings; 4) Melchizedek shown that he was greater than Abraham; 5) Melchizedek is described as the priest of the Most High.
Psalm 110:4- In Psalm 110, Melchizedek is now introduced as one who lives and whose priesthood is eternal. Melchizedek is introduced in three characteristics: first, he is a priest forever; second, he is a priest; and third, a priesthood of a unique framework and genesis.
1) Psalm foreshadows the transcendental and eternal nature of the priesthood of Christ in the Old Testament. It is in this Psalm that the Psalmist confesses Melchizedek as eternal and royal king. “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Melchizedek is evoked in this royal psalm addressed w a ruler of the Davidic dynasty.
2) Melchizedek as high priest points to the Son of God since Psalm 110 mentions the source of his existence: “from the dawn” (Psalm 110:3)
Hebrews 5:6-10; 6:20; 7:17- Melchizedek in the Letter to the Hebrews is linked with Christ. There is only one book that speaks of Jesus as the New High Priest and it is the Letter to the Hebrews. Jesus is introduced as the eschatological High Priest, the transcendent High Priest and not the same order of high priest as Aaron but of Melchizedek (Heb 7:11).
1) He does not belong to any Jewish priesthood like the Levitical priesthood;
2) His priesthood is not hereditary because Melchizedek was a mysterious person in Genesis and a foreigner without any human origin;
3) it was Melchizedek who blessed Abraham and to whom Abraham gave tithes;
4) Melchizedek was regarded as one who existed even before the Jewish nation because he has no human origins. The Letter to the Hebrews says: “. . . he has no father, mother, or ancestry, and his life has no beginning or ending; he is like the Son of God. He remains a priest forever” (Heb 7:3)
5) Melchizedek points to the identity and nature of the priesthood of Christ as eternal. Thus, Christ is the perfection of the priest and king Melchizedek.
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