Devotional Verses From Hebrews
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the Kings, and blessed him;
Hebrews 6:20; 7:1
The author of Hebrews, in the midst of his discussion of the superiority of the new covenant to the old covenant, brings up the name of Melchisedec as he introduces the high priestly ministry of Jesus. It struck me that as, in a sense, this name comes into the discussion "out of right field" so to speak, it is clear that the writer of Hebrews expected the Christians he was communicating with to be conversant with the holy scriptures. He expected they would know the Biblical account of the historic story of Abraham (then known as Abram) saving Lot from the four kings who had captured him, and then meeting this mysterious priest of God named Melchisedec. They would know that Abraham was blessed by Melchisedec and "gave him tithes of all" (Genesis 14:19,20). Since they knew this history from the scriptures they could then put it together with the truth being expressed in Hebrews to grow in their knowledge of Jesus Christ. The lesson I would draw from that is simple, and is the same message that is often heard from Bible preaching pastors the world over, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ and want to grow in understanding you must make the Bible a priority in your life.