Blessed with righteousness and peace

Hebrews 7:2, to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils, was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. We are learning about Melchizedek here in chapter 7 of Hebrews. He was a priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham when he returned victorious after a war with some kings. The author reminded his readers that Abraham gave him a tenth of all that he had taken as spoil from the war. The significance of that will be explained later. Jesus is a priest like Melchizedek. He explained the meaning of his name. In Hebrew, Melchi means king, and zedek means righteousness. Jesus is the real King of Righteousness. Second, Melchizedek was the king of Salem, which in Hebrew is translated peace. Look how we have been blessed by Christ! He has blessed us with His righteousness so we might be justified before God. Furthermore, through His sacrifice, we have peace with God. Consider the great love God has bestowed upon us that we would be called children of God, presented 100% righteous before God. We have peace with God because all of our sins have been paid for and removed from consideration. We have been brought to God through Jesus’ high priestly intercession, through the blood of His sacrifice. What an encouragement we have today to set our minds on the righteousness and peace we have in Christ. Full righteousness! Full peace! My friends, we are loved perfectly. You may feel like you are in a war or just are returning from a war. This righteousness is your breastplate, the protector of your heart. You journey through this world with your feet shod with the gospel of peace. You are ready to walk the path God has for you today in fullness. Out of the fullness of being right with God and at peace with God, you can love whoever God puts in your path. When you approach God’s throne of grace, you can be confident you will be blessed by Jesus, just like Abraham was.