David Bahn – Reflections

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These reflections grow out of the Follow the Word Bible reading program at St. John Lutheran Church in Cypress, Texas. This year we are reading through the Scriptures together, listening for how God speaks through his Word day by day. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Today’s readings are Genesis 14-15; Psalm 29.

Genesis 14:18-20

After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). ¹⁸ And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) ¹⁹ And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Possessor of heaven and earth;
²⁰ and blessed be God Most High,
    who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Melchizedek appears suddenly in Genesis, blesses Abram, and then disappears. But he leaves behind a pattern. He is a king who brings peace. He is a priest who blesses God’s people. His is a righteousness not rooted in law, lineage, or achievement. He just shows up, blesses Abram, and leaves. But before Melchizedek leaves Abram gives him a tenth of all he has.

God waits centuries to tell us why all this matters. Hebrews 5–7 uses Melchizedek to explain who Jesus is and why his priesthood matters.

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. ² He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. ³ Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. ⁴ And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him,

“You are my Son,
    today I have begotten you”;

⁶ as he says also in another place,

“You are a priest forever,
    after the order of Melchizedek.” – Hebrews 7:1-6

Years ago one of our sons made a comment about my sermons – respectful, thoughtful, and meant in love. “Dad,” he said, “it seems no matter what the text or topic you preach on, you always manage to end up talking about Jesus.” “Well,” I told him, “that’s on purpose Son…” The Old Testament is a prelude to the New Testament. And the New Testament is a commentary on the Old Testament. So, yes, here we come again to Jesus. In Jesus, the pattern is fulfilled. He is the true King of righteousness and peace, and the priest who intercedes for us forever. He is worthy of our praise, our prayers, and our offerings.