Jesus Christ in the Old Testament Melchizedek Old Testament people who foreshadowed Jesus Christ through the Actions and Events of their lives

Introduction We know very little about this person Melchizedek. He shows up in Genesis 14, we know not from where, and disappears equally as fast. It is the writter of the Hebrews that makes extensive parallels between Melchizedek and Jesus Christ.

Melchizedek--------Christ The name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.” Jesus Christ is the Righteous One. Acts 3:14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One [Jesus] and asked that a murderer be released to you. Hebrews 7:2 First, his name means "king of righteousness";

Melchizedek--------Christ Melchizedek was king of Salem, another name for Jerusalem. Jesus is the real King of Jerusalem and really the world. Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem… He was priest of God Most High… Matthew 27:37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Melchizedek--------Christ The word Salem means “peace.” Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.” Hebrews 7:2 Then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace." Isaiah 9:6 And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Melchizedek--------Christ Melchizedek had no family, no beginning or end. Jesus had no real family, but came from God because He was God, without beginning or end. Hebrews 7:3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. Matthew 22:41-43 Jesus asked the (Pharisees), 42 "What do you think about the Christ? Whose son is he?" "The son of David," they replied. 43 He said to them, "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him 'Lord'? Revelation 21:6 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.

Melchizedek--------Christ Melchizedek was a priest of God the Most High. Jesus is our High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. Hebrews 7:17 For it is declared: "You [Christ] are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

Melchizedek--------Christ Jesus served as priest after Aaron and has become our High Priest for all time. Melchizedek served as priest before Aaron became the High Priest of God. Hebrews 7:15-17, 23-24 if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry [Tribe of Levi] but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life [the resurrection]…."You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek." ...and because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Hebrews 7:11 If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (Aaron and his sons), why was there still need for another priest to come--one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron?

Melchizedek--------Christ Melchizedek offered blessings to Abraham in the form of bread and wine. Jesus offers blessings to believers in the form of bread and wine, His Body and Blood. Matthew 26:26-28 Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." 27 Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Genesis 14:18-19 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine...19 and he blessed Abram.

Melchizedek--------Christ Abraham offered one tenth (a tithe) as an offering to God through Melchizedek. Jesus taught the offering of the tithe and more, as our gift of thanks for all that He has done for us. Matthew 23:23 "Woe to you, Pharisees! You give a tenth of your spices--mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. Genesis 14:20 Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. NOTE: Giving the tenth was an acknowledgment of the divine priesthood of Melchizedek, for the tenth was the offering presented to Deity.

Melchizedek--------Christ Melchizedek blesses Abraham on God’s behalf. Jesus blesses all of Abraham’s spiritual children on behalf of His Father. Galatians 3:29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Genesis 14:19-20 He [Melchizedek] blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand."

Melchizedek--------Christ We do not know where Melchizedek served, serving before Moses’ tabernacle, we know he served the true God. Jesus not only serves the true God, His Father, but serves in a tabernacle not made with hands. Hebrews 8:1-2 We do have such a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, 2 and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man. Hebrews 8:5 They [Aaron and his sons] served at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.