What I learned from preparing a children's Sunday school lesson

One of the things I like about teaching children's Sunday school is that it forces me to dig deeper into God's Word.  Rather than just reading the text and lesson materials, I've found myself spending more time studying and preparing for how best to communicate God's truth to the 3rd graders I teach at CUMC Kids.  This week, God revealed some things I didn't know about Jerusalem, priests, communion, and tithing through the appearance of Melchizedek in Genesis 14.

Genesis 14 - "Abram Rescues Lot" is the subject of this week's lesson.  We're learning how Abram's faith in God is growing stronger though the challenging situations he faces.  After separating from Lot (Gen. 13), Abram discovers his nephew has been captured by several kings surrounding Sodom.  We read about Abram's courage to gather his 318 men (by mentioning this number the Bible implies he is outnumbered) to go in pursuit of Lot, and his faith in God that he will triumph. (Gen 14:11-16)

Then, in v.18 we are introduced to Melchizedek.  He appears just once in the Bible, although he is also  referenced in Psalm 110 and Hebrews chapters 5 and 7.  Who is this mysterious person who shows up after Abram is victorious in Sodom?  The name Melchizedek means "King of Righteousness".  Some speculate that he may have been the pre-incarnate Christ.  The references in Hebrews and the Psalm refer to Jesus as "a priest in the order of Melchizedek".  In this passage (Gen 14:18-20) we do discover that he was a Christ-like figure and it reveals four "firsts" in the Bible:

1. First mention of Jerusalem - he was king of Salem (future site of Jerusalem)
2. Frist mention of a priest - he was a priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram
3. First mention of communion - he brought bread and wine in this blessing of Abram
4. First mention of tithing - after receiving the blessing, Abram gave him a tenth of everything

Melchizedek is portrayed as a priest and a king.  The writer of Hebrews in ch. 7 portrays Jesus in the same way, as priest and king, in making the point that Jesus superseded the temporary Levitical priesthood established in the OT because the Messiah was a priest of a higher order..."You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek" (Psalm 110:4).  Thanks be to God.