The Mystery Man     Pastor Rich Laskowski

This message explores the identity of the the priest mentioned in the Letter to the Hebrews, Melchezidec.  There have been various theories about who this mystery man is.  Some have said he was just a man with no records of his birth, other say it was the son of Noah, 600 year old Shem, other say a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ.

There is also a fascinating verbal picture that is drawn in the 14th chapter of Genesis.  As you listen to this message my hope is that you will see that God has written messages of His love and care all the way through the scriptures and that Jesus is a high priest that knows everything you are going through.  Since He lived as a man He fully understand s the struggles and is able to come to our rescue in times of need


Right click and "save as" to download this audio file: The Mystery Man

Study Notes for the message: The Mystery Man

The Mystery Man - Who is Melchizedek?

I. The Mystery Man

  1. Abraham's nephew Lot has settled in the area of Sodom and Gomorrah
  2. An alliance of kings had attacked the area and taken Lot captive.
  3. Abraham took 380 men to fight 4 kings
  4. He defeated the kings and got Lot back

On the way back Abraham was greeted by two other kings:

- The King of Sodom
- The King of Salem

Ge 14:17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley).  18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,  19 and he 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." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Abraham recognized Melchizedek not only as king, but also a priest and gave him a tenth of what he had.

II. Melchezedek is mentioned twice in the Old Testament and seven times in the NT.

A. The writer of Hebrews places great  emphasis upon him

Heb 7:1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,  2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."  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.  4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!

In Hebrews the Writer is making the point that Jesus is superior to:

  1. Angels,
  2. the Law,
  3. The old order of priest hood

Jesus has superior Priesthood:
He says: Jesus is not a priest of the order of Aaron But the order of Melchezidek.

Order of Aaron:
- limited by mortality

Order of Melchedezdec:
- Eternal has no end

Who was Melchezedek?

- King and a priest
- Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.

Theories about who Melchezedek, the Mystery Man was:

1.  A man that God used to illustrate the new order of priesthood that Jesus would have.  (Eternal)

- No beginning or end because there were no records.  Simply a illustration

2.   Jewish legend: Son of Noah, Shem

  1. In Gen 11The bible says that Shem dies 500 years after the flood.
  2. He would have been around 600
  3. This would mean that he out lives Abraham and would have been around at the time of Gen 14.

3.   Melchezedek was a pre-incarnate   appearance of Christ

- Theophany - Christophony =

- Jesus has appeared before in scripture prior to His birth in Bethlehem

(He is eternal)

- Joshua and Jericho

Points that support this view

1. No one else in scripture is called a King and  priest except Jesus.  (Except for believers in Rev)

2. Mel is called King of Righteousness  (Presumptuous title for a mortal man)

Ro 3:10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;

3. Mel is the first priest mentioned in scripture

4. Eternal statements:
    - No beginning and no end
    - Reference to an indestructible life
    - Contrasted with mortal men

AT THE VERY LEAST MELCHEZDEDEK IS A VIVID SYNBOL OF CHRIST

Watch this picture:

Ge 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,  19 and he 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." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Mel = Jesus & bread and wine
Abe = man and life lived by faith
Abe= tithe reps his willing subjection to God