Melchisedec is a Type of Christ

Please take your Bible to Genesis 14 and Hebrews 7…

Read Text: Genesis 14:17–24 and Hebrews 7

Title: Melchisedec is a Type of Christ

Introduction: Today, we are going to be looking at one of the most interesting and debated characters in the Old Testament. He is, without a doubt, a clear type of Christ.

There are three common positions that are taken when it comes to Melchisedec.

(1) Melchisedec was Shem

Some claim that Melchisedec was actually Shem, the Son of Noah. This would be impossible because Hebrews 7:3a — Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life… We will speak later about what this verse means, but suffice it now, we know where Shem came from…in other words, we know who is dad and mom were.

(2) Melchisedec was Christ

This is a more plausible position. I wouldn’t argue with someone who believes this. There are things about Melchisedec that do cause me to scratch my head, but I cannot fully claim that he was a Christophany. Hebrews 7:3b — but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. He was made “like” Christ but he was not “actually” Christ.

(3) Melchisedec Was a Real Man that Typified Christ

This is my position. Especially considered the other two options that exist. I believe it is the safest and most orthodox. So, let’s dive in to some very amazing things…

I. Melchisedec is a Type of Christ in His Genealogy

Really, we could say a lack of genealogy. When we are introduced to Melchisedec in Genesis 14, we are not given his father or his mother. And we know that in Hebrews 7, the Bible tells us that he was “without father, without mother”. Now, does that phrase mean that Melchisedec was supernatural? No. We can’t insert that into the verses. Remember, we must never interpret the Bible based on unclear passages. We know what the Bible says about him being made “like unto Christ”.

What the author of Hebrews means is that there is no account of his parents.

If Melchisedec was a man, which we think he was, he had to have parents. But, the Holy Spirit, I believe, purposefully did not mention his parents in order to make the type of Christ even greater and stronger.

We know that Christ never had a beginning and never had an end. Really, it was almost like Jesus stepped into this world and then was gone. If you think about it, Christ was only here for 3 years. In the course of human history that is just a blip on the radar. It was the same with Melchisedec. We read about him and then don’t read about him again until the Psalms.

II. Melchisedec is a Type of Christ in His Offices

Melchisedec had two distinct offices…

A. He was King — Genesis 14:18

Melchisedec was the King of “Salem”. Now, do you want a very interesting nugget?

Salem was an early name of the city that would later be called, “Jerusalem”.

We know that Christ will rule and reign on the throne of David in the city of Jersualem! Psalm 2:6 — Yet have I set my king Upon my holy hill of Zion.

B. He Was Priest — Genesis 14:18

Not only was Melchisedec a king, he was a priest. He was a royal priest. A priest king. These offices, in the order of Aaron (later Levi), were never to be joined. We see a couple occasions in the Old Testament where these two roles were brought together and it did not end well.

Jesus was not of the tribe of Levi, so how could He be a priest? Well, first he was from the tribe of Judah (the royal line). Second, Jesus was not after the order of Aaron, He was after the order of Melchisedec. Hebrews 7:14–17 — For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Because Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, He can be King. Because He is of the order of Melchisedec, He can be Priest.

III. Melchisedec is a Type of Christ in His Names

The name Melchisedec literally means “king of righteousness”.

Jesus is the righteous King. Jesus is righteousness (what is right) personified. We know that our righteousness is as filthy rags and that there is none righteous, no not one. But Jesus is righteous!

But if we were to look again as the office of Melchisedec as the King of Salem, we would notice that…

“Salem” means “peace”.

Hebrews 7:2 — To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; So not only does Melchisedec mean king of righteousness, but we also see that he was the king of peace.

Jesus was also the king of Peace. We must never divorce righteousness and peace. There is no peace outside of righteousness. Christ could not give us peace if He was not totally righteous. At the cross, Psalm 85:10 — Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Notice Romans 5:1 — Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

IV. Melchisedec is a Type of Christ in His Provisions

We see in Genesis 14:18 that Melchisedec brought to Abram “bread and wine”. Of course, our minds immediately run to Christ.

A. The Bread

The Bible tells us that when we observe communion, that we are to eat unleavened bread as a reminder of the body of Christ that was broken and bruised for us.

B. The Wine

The wine, in communion, represents the blood of Christ that was shed.

We see in these provisions a picture of what Christ would ultimately give to all mankind.

V. Melchisedec is a Type of Christ in His Eternal Priesthood

In the Aaronic/Levitical priesthood, there was feebleness.

First, the Levitical priests had to offer for their own sin (Hebrews 7:27).

But in Christ’s priesthood He offered Himself not for His own sin, but for our sin.

Second, the Levitical priests would die (Hebrews 7:23).

When they died, so did their ability to minister. But Christ is an “endless life”. There will never be a time that Christ will not be able to fulfill His role as Priest.

Conclusion: I want to conclude by saying that the priesthood after the order of Melchisedec is simply “better” than the order of Aaron. There was feebleness in the Levitical priesthood, but we have something better. The law was a shadow of something better that would later come.