“And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all” (Genesis 14:20).
TEXT — Genesis 14:17-20
Message
On August 9, 1999, the Washington Post ran a report about a Middle-East monarch who was known for his undercover stunts. Disguised, he would cruise the streets of the capital in a taxi driven by an aide. He would deliberately break traffic rules to assess law officers’ performance and listen to passengers’ complaints. But finally, the king was outed when he posed as a television producer. Unable to shake security guards who demanded his crew’s permit to film, the ruler removed his false exterior, to the astonishment of all present.
Melchizedek did not have to hide his identity as king and priest of Salem as he related with his people. This led him to have a revealing encounter with Abram, who promptly recognised and honoured him. Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abram after the latter’s triumph in the battle to rescue Lot, his nephew. Reciprocating, Abram paid his dues to the priest and “gave him tithes of all” he had taken as spoils in war.
In the New Testament, more is revealed about the personality of Melchizedek. He is the picture of Jesus, our undisguised King and Priest. Jesus blesses His people as King; and as our High Priest superior to the Levitical order, He receives our sacrifices. Today’s believers in Christ also combine the two offices: priest and king (Revelation 1:6).
To fulfil our roles as the Lord’s followers, we must play them like Melchizedek and Abraham. First, we must appreciate King Jesus as He blesses us with provisions. Next, we must give Him adoration, our tithes, unalloyed loyalty and selfless service, etc. We must be peace-loving and righteous subjects of the King of peace and righteousness.
Thought for the day
Believers are kings and priests; let us act according to our revealed identity.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
