Friends in High Places

 

For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 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. He is without father or mother tor genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever. (Hebrews 6:1-3 ESV).

 

Often in daily life, it’s not what you know but who you know that counts. The same is true in our spiritual life: what matters most for our salvation is not what we know but who we know. As believers in Christ, we know the One whose name is above every other name. Jesus, Lord of all, is seated at the right hand of the Father in heaven.

 

Genesis 14 and Hebrews 7 tell us about Abraham’s remarkable encounter with Melchizedek. He was a man who had a high position of authority in the ancient world. Although he is a mysterious figure in Scripture, Melchizedek was both a king and a priest of the highest order. And yet he came to bless Abraham. And Abraham responded by giving a tenth of his possessions as a symbol of gratitude to this great king.

 

On multiple levels, Melchizedek is a representative of Jesus Christ, our great high priest and eternal King. Mighty in power, Jesus came in grace to bless and forgive. In response, we acknowledge his rightful rule over us. And we express our gratitude by returning a portion of our possessions to him.

 

Having this friend in the highest place means that we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace” (Hebrews 4:16). Even when we find ourselves traveling through stormy weather and along uncharted paths we have the highest friend in the highest of places!