David Bahn – Reflections

Hebrews 7:1-3

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, ² and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace. ³ He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

Many years ago a young man came to the church I was serving. He had no family with him. He was well dressed. He seemed friendly and respectful. Through a brief and cordial exchange he agreed to forgo communion until we had an opportunity to talk after the service. Minutes later, however, he was gone. No trace. No opportunity to talk. I was left with a gnawing feeling of having turned away an angel. Certainly I had encountered someone for whom Jesus had died. Perhaps I had made the right decision. But I’ll never know; and it is obvious to me today that my motives were more focused toward right practice than love for this man.

Inexperience combined with insecurity and led on by well-meaning members who had pointed him out to me led me to an action that haunts me to this day. I am reminded of that man these many years later when I read of Melchizedek, king of Salem. But the example of Abraham is one to which I would aspire today; not my earlier zeal for proper communion practice.

Abraham did three things that serve as examples for our dealings with others. He blessed Melchizedek. He honored Melchizedek with his tithe. And he recognized Melchizedek as one who resembled Christ – 2100 years before Jesus was born!

If Jesus were to come to us we would certainly do the same, wouldn’t we? He is, after all the true king of righteousness, and king of peace. He deserves the tithe and more. We rightly bless and honor him. Jesus is the greater and truer priest than Melchizedek. That is the point of these verses. But today I am convinced of my need to consider all who come to me remembering the words of Jesus himself: “In as much as you have done it to the least of these brothers of mine, you have done it to me.” (Matthew 25:40)

People of all kinds are too easily ignored, depersonalized, and seen as burdens. We have so much to do, so many places to go, so many other responsibilities. But what if we are missing the people God is sending to us, or passing by on the other side those who genuinely need our help? Not everyone who approaches us has good intent; there were thieves on the road to Jericho (cf. Luke 10:29ff – the story of the Good Samaritan). But just because we don’t know a person’s bona fides we need not automatically dismiss him. I’ve determined not to turn away someone only because I want to do the right thing; rather I want to honor Christ by the way I receive and treat all who pass my way.