Was Jesus a promise to Abraham too?

But how could Abraham have even known if Jesus was included in the promises to him? And yet Jesus told some Jews claiming “Abraham is our father” in John 8:39, that “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day, and he saw it and was glad,” verse 56.  

You mean, Abraham actually knew about the life and ministry of Jesus 1900 years ahead of time? Well, yes, but not surprisingly, because it sounds like Abraham actually knew him, or at least someone in human form who pictured Jesus perfectly.  

This “someone in human form” first appears in Genesis 14:18. Abraham has just returned victorious from his battle with four invading kings, rescuing his nephew Lot in the process, to be met by “Melchizedek king of Salem – and also priest of the Most High God – who brought out bread and wine.” So whoever this great priest king was, Abraham knew him personally. 

King David also knew who this Melchizedek was, because in Psalm 110:4-6 David sees the appearing of a future Melchizedek lifted up at the right hand of God to “judge the nations” and “crush the rulers of the whole earth.” The author of Hebrews tells us who he is too, because in Hebrews 1:1-3 the one seated at the right hand of God is God’s Son. And in verse 13 his Father says to him, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” So the one seated at God’s right hand and crushing all enemies is Melchizedek in Psalms, and Jesus in Hebrews. 

So they’re both great kings. Melchizedek was a great king in physical form in Genesis, and Jesus is the great king, stationed at God’s right hand picturing the time when all enemies of God will be dealt with and crushed. 

And according to Jesus in John 8:56 Abraham “saw” this. He was given a clear picture of Jesus as king of kings with enormous power. No wonder he “was glad.” It was thrilling, knowing that one day all evil would be eradicated as part and parcel of God’s great promise in Genesis 12:3 to bless all peoples on earth. 

But that wasn’t all that Abraham saw in the life and ministry of Jesus pictured by the life and ministry of Melchizedek, because back in Genesis 14:18, Melchizedek “was also priest of the Most High God.” 

Next blog, then: “Did Abraham know about Jesus’ priesthood?”