The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit in the place of honor at my right hand
until I humble your enemies,
making them a footstool under your feet.”
The LORD will extend your powerful kingdom from Jerusalem;
you will rule over your enemies.
When you go to war,
your people will serve you willingly.
You are arrayed in holy garments,
and your strength will be renewed each day like the morning dew.
The LORD has taken an oath and will not break his vow:
“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
(Psalm 110:1–4 NLT)
The nobility of Western Europe in centuries past ascribed to an idea known as the divine right of kings, which claims kings derive their authority from God, not the people. As similar concept was true of ancient Mesopotamia. According to Ancient History Encyclopedia, “The king of a city, region, or empire was thought to have a special relationship with the gods and to be an intermediary between the world of the divine and the earthly realm,” though the priests were still responsible for the rituals and religious services. However, there is at least one instance where this separation of roles did not exist. After a battle where Abraham rescued Lot and a host of others who had been captured, they are met by Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He was a priest king.
Within Israel, there was a distinct separation of these roles. The downfall of King Saul began when he sacrificed a burnt offering himself rather than waiting for Samuel to arrive. Yet, as David tells us in Psalm 110, the Messiah is “a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” Jesus is a forever Priest King, which means we can trust that He will forever serve as mediator between us and God and we can rest in the knowledge that, as Gabriel tells Mary, “He will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” (Luke 1:33).
Set aside a time today to worship the Priest King, Jesus the Messiah, the only one who has ever truly held the divine right of kingship. Sing Him a song or a psalm, write Him a love letter, paint Him a picture, or even just bask in His presence today.