„Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought forth bread and wine, and he was the priest of the most high God.”
Genesis 14:18
Melchizedek. How mighty is this name! He that utters it, says: king of righteousness. Who can claim that title, in its full purport, but Jesus? What is His person, what is His work, but the glory of righteousness? Since Adam fell, earth has seen no righteousness apart from Him. But His kingdom is first righteousness, then peace. There is a throne in it righteously erected to dispense righteousness. All the statutes, decrees, ordinances, every precept, every reward, every penalty is a sunbeam of righteousness. Each subject is bright in royal robes of purity, each wears a crown of righteousness. Each delights in righteousness, as his new-born nature.
Do you not long to be righteous, even as He is righteous? There is one way - only one. Cleave to Jesus. His Spirit-giving sceptre will kill in you the love of sin and plant in you the living seeds of righteousness.
Melchizedek was a local monarch. His city was graced with the name of Salem, which is Peace. The war which stalked through the land, troubled not these tranquil citizens. Here we have a sweet emblem of Jesus’ blissful reign. His kingdom is one atmosphere of peace, one haven of unruffled calm.
Heaven is at peace with the inhabitants. Sin had rebelled. It had aroused most holy wrath. It had armed each attribute of God with anger. It had unsheathed the sword of vengeance. It had pointed the arrows of destruction against our world of transgression. But Jesus cleanses His flock from every stain of evil. He is „the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” The eye of God can no more find the cause of enmity. A flood of smiles descends upon the blood-washed kingdom.
The inhabitants are at peace with heaven. Sin had filled them with hatred of God’s holiness, dread of God’s avenging arm, aversion to God’s presence. But Jesus, by His Spirit, plucks out the heart of stone, and implants a heart of filial love. The one delight is now to draw near to God, to walk by His side, to listen to His voice, to sing His praise.
The inhabitants are at peace within. The sight of the cross stills each rising storm of conscience and stifles the accusing voice of Satan. They see a divine Redeemer quenching by His blood the flames of hell, building by His merits the palace of heaven. Trouble vanishes before this Morning Star.
Reader, there is no peace but in this Salem. But within these walls there is one song of perfect peace. The gates are yet wide open. The Prince of Peace calls to His standard. Blessed, blessed are they who hear, and hasten, and are at rest!
Henry Law (1797-1884), Anglican dean of Gloucester, England
