Melchizedek, like Jesus?

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 5:8-10

Who is this Melchizedek and why is the author of Hebrews referring to Jesus as being in the order of Melchizedek? Is there anyone else that is surprised to find someone mentioned in the same sentence as Jesus and he only appears as a small blip on the radar of the pages of the Bible?

The following passage mentions this Melchizedek who has no beginning or end in the Bible, he is only mentioned here meeting Abraham as he makes his way back from rescuing Lot.

Genesis 14:18-20 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

Some interesting points to take note of here:
1- Melchizedek is not just a king, but he is also a high priest (Of which Jesus is said to be of the same order ((Both King and Priest/Mediator)), -see above Hebrews quote-)
2-Salem could be Jerusalem, King of Salem can be translated King of Peace.
3-Melchizedek is not a Hebrew. He comes from a nation not affiliated with Abraham. Abraham who was a man of the promise of God, offers a tenth, a tithe to Melchizedek, showing that Abraham recognized Melchizedek as a high priest of the same God as himself and from whom Abraham had received the promise. This act is symbolic that he recognized some sort of superior rank that he offered a tithe. This is strange no? Who is this stranger that the Bible whispers about here and then Paul brings him up in Hebrews? Abraham is the father of the faith, the heir of the promise direct from God, yet he offers a tithe to Melchizedek.

What does this mean? Please think about this, pray over it, struggle with it. It does not seem to offer any quick and easy answers.

This we can take away: There is a whole different order of priesthood that is so far above the Hebrew priesthood that it is of a whole different order. It is so much more, it is so far beyond. I would liken it to comparing earth to heaven. Earth is only a slight glimmer of what heaven is.

Jesus was of another order of priesthood. As recepients of Jesus' grace and co-heirs of the promise, we gather under the ultimate high priest, Jesus of Nazareth. The full revelation of God among us. Stepping into heaven itself to mediate on our behalf. He opened the way, tore the veil, and calls us friends. He is of another promise, a promise of a new Canaan, a new heaven and a new earth. He has breached the defenses and calls us to partake. His Kingdom is not of this world. (John 18:36 My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.)

So we enter in cleansed through the sacrifice of Christ to partake of the suffering of the world that crucified Him. We wage war by the power of his Spirit. In small gatherings we lock arms, close eyes, and speak to our High Priest. We besiege Him and ask for His will to be done through us, among us. His Spirit is more than able though our flesh is weak. His power is great and mighty is His name!

Note: Some scholars have offered that Melchizedek was some foreshadow, Christ incarnate man, possibly Christ Himself. I am of another opinion, but the Scripture leaves it somewhat open to interpretation.

Your thoughts? What are the implications to you?