Friday, March 14th, 2025
Genesis 14:17-20, NRVSUE
After (Abram’s) return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh, that is, the King’s Valley. And King Melchizedek of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, maker of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him one-tenth of everything.
Reflection - Deacon Allison Wilcox, Grace Lutheran Church Royersford
You can go down all kinds of biblical, scholarly rabbit holes to try to get a firm answer as to just who Melchizedek was. Was he Canaanite? Was he of a special kind of priesthood? Was he king of Jerusalem?
But no matter who scholars think he was, here’s the interesting bit: this story seems to have been inserted right into the middle of the story of Abram meeting with the King of Sodom.
Melchizedek is breaking into what’s going on, and he’s breaking in significantly! He’s breaking in with a blessing and with bread and with wine.
Just like there are all kinds of ways to think about Melchizedek, there are a whole lot of ways we Christians think about bread and wine. Are they the real body and blood of Christ? Are they real presence? Are they a memorial? A symbol?
Whatever you believe them to be, there’s one thing I think we can agree on. When we partake to our Holy Communion, or Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper, Christ is breaking in. He’s breaking through.
He’s breaking into all the things we’ve been putting before him on that particular day. He’s breaking into our worries and angers and distractions and telling us, “Come.”
Come and receive God’s blessing. Come and be forgiven. Come and be healed and made whole.
One other thing: King of Salem means King of Peace.
Come, Christ tells us. Come and be fed and blessed so you can be bearers of my peace.
Prayer: Holy One, break in and disrupt all the things I put ahead of you. Bless me so that I may become a blessing of peace to everyone I encounter this day and every day. Amen.
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