YEA Lesson Library
The Mystery Man
About This Lesson
This lesson teaches (and gives evidence) that Melchizedek is likely the One who would become Jesus Christ. It also indicates that the One who became Jesus Christ was the God who spoke in the Old Testament.
Scriptures
Genesis 14:18-20
Psalm 110:4
John 5:37
Hebrews 5:5-10
Hebrews 6:20
Hebrews 7:1-28
Words to Know
TETRIS - a video game puzzle
TIDBIT - a choice or pleasing bit (as of information)
RANK - high in amount or degree
The Lesson
Sam loved to read in bed before he went to sleep. He enjoyed books more than video games and television because he could imagine the people in the stories for himself. One book he especially liked was a story about some people on a quest to find a new place to live after they had been forced to leave their home in Thargaminda. This fascinating story included a man Sam had forgotten, but who was very important. Sam thought it was weird that he had overlooked this man in the beginning of the book. When he came across him again towards the end of the story, Sam decided to go back and read from the beginning so that he wouldn’t miss any interesting tidbits in the book.
Sam was surprised to find, however, that even when he read the book again and again, he didn’t learn that much about the man. He had read several books written by the author and realized that this wasn’t a writer who wasted words. It dawned on Sam that he’d just discovered a clue. He looked at the name of the man and found that it had a secret meaning. Much to his surprise, Same found nothing about this important character’s family. Everyone has to have a family, doesn’t he?
Suddenly Sam could see the secret. He knew this Mystery Man and his importance. Even though he didn’t know all the details about him, Sam could tell from the end of the story the dimension and new meaning the man gave to this book. It all fell into place like a giant Tetris puzzle. When Sam finally finished reading the book, he had solved the mystery. Man! This was exciting!
The Bible tells us of a Mystery Man. Like Sam's story, when this man is first mentioned, he doesn't seem to have a lot of significance. Watch this mystery unwind in Genesis 14:18. "As Abram returned from his strike against Chedorlaomer. .. Melchizedek, the king of Salem (Jerusalem), who was a priest of the God of Highest Heaven, brought him bread and wine. Then Mechizedek blessed Abraham with this blessing: 'The blessing of the supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth, be upon you, Abram; and blessed be God, who has delivered your enemies over to You.' Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of al the spoils.”
Hey, did you get any clues as to who Melchizedek, this Mystery Man, might be or how important he is? He is only mentioned by name about a dozen times in all 66 books of the Bible. The book of Hebrews tells us more about Melchizedek than any other book in the Bible.
In Hebrews 5:5 you'll see some more clues. "That is why Christ did not elect himself to the honor of being High Priest; no, he was chosen by God. God said to him, 'My Son, today I have honored you.’ And another time God said to him. ‘You have been chosen to be a priest forever, with the same rank as Melchizedek.’" This is repeated again in verse 10. This establishes that Christ and Melchizedek held equal rank as High Priest.
You'll see this Mystery Man surface yet another time in Hebrews 6:20-7:7. "Where Christ has gone ahead to plead for us from his position as our High Priest, with the honor and rank of Melchizedek.
"This Melchizedek was king of the city of Salem, and also a priest of the Most High God. When Abraham was returning home after winning a great battle against many kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him; then Abraham took a tenth of all he had won in the battle and gave it to Melchizedek.
"Melchizedek's name means 'Justice,' so he is the King of Justice; and he is also King of Peace because of the name of his city, Salem, which means 'Peace.' Melchizedek had no father or mother and there is no record of any of his ancestors. He was never born and he never died but his life is like that of the Son of God - a priest forever.
"See then how great this Melchizedek is: (a) Even Abraham, the first and most honored of all God's chosen people, gave Melchizedek a tenth of the spoils he took from the kings he had been fighting. One could understand why Abraham would do this if Melchizedek had been a Jewish priest. . . But Melchizedek was not a relative, and yet Abraham paid him.
"Melchizedek placed a blessing upon mighty Abraham, and as everyone knows, a person who has the power to bless is always greater than the person he blesses."
Here are the clues for the Mystery Man: Melchizedek didn't have a father or mother; he was never born and he never died; there's no record of his ancestors; He's like the Son of God - a priest forever. And he received tithes of Abraham. Who is the Son of God? Jesus told the High Priest when He was questioned before His crucifixion that He was the Son of
God.
So what do all of these clues about this Mystery Man add up to be? If you will recall, in John 1:1-3 Jesus created all things, yet He had not been born. He's existed with the Father from the beginning. What was His name before He was born? Was it Melchizedek?
Student Prayer
Awesome God,
How marvelous are your ways. Thank you for giving us more insight into the wonderful works of Christ who existed before there was anything and how He revealed Himself to man in the Old Testament before He was ever born as a baby.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Genesis 14:18-20
Monday: Hebrews 5:5-10
Tuesday: Hebrews 6:20
Wednesday: Hebrews 7:1-10
Thursday: Psalm 110:4
Friday: Hebrews 7:11-15
Saturday: Hebrews 7:16-20
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Explain that Jesus Christ existed before there was anything and created all things.
2. Solve the mystery of who Melchizedek was.
3. Explain that Melchizedek was the one who appeared to man in the Old Testament and became Christ in the NewTestament.
Topics & Themes
Creator
Jesus, High Priest
Jesus, The Word
Melchizedek
Tithes
Materials Needed
Bible, YEA students' and teacher's books, attendance and memory verse charts, modern translation of the Bible, songbook, CD or cassette tape, awards, two blank jigsaw puzzles purchased at a craft store, one or two tables, small prizes such as bookmarks, pencils, etc.
How to Teach This Lesson
Open the class with prayer. Have the students count off one, two, one, two. Put the two puzzles on the table(s) and have all of the ones go to the first puzzle and all of the twos go to the second puzzle. Explain that they have two puzzles to work today that will disclose who The Mystery Man in today's lesson is. Tell them that puzzle number one gives the evidence and puzzle number two gives the answer. The group who finishes first wins the prize.
Debrief
Ask: Would someone who helped put puzzle number one together read the evidence? How many of you have known a person who was never born? How many of you have known a person who has no father or mother? How many of you know a person who has no ancestors? What kind of person would it be who was never born, has no father or mother, no ancestors, is like the Son of God, a priest forever, and Abraham tithed to him? Do we tithe to someone who is lessor or greater than we are? Who does God command us to tithe to? Ask a student to read Leviticus 27:30-34.
Solving the mystery
Why is solving who The Mystery Man is important to you? How does this give you greater insight into the Old Testament? Ask a student to read John 5:37. How many people have heard God's voice? Do you recall in lesson three, that the Lord spoke to Eve after she ate the forbidden fruit from the tree? Who was this speaking to Eve since no one has heard God's voice? Many times throughout the Old Testament, it says "the LORD spoke," or “God spake," "Now the LORD had said," etc. Since no man has ever seen God or heard his voice, who was this speaking? Ask a student to read John 1:18.
Why is this important to you?
Ask one of the students to readHebrews 1:1-14 from a modern translation. How important is Christ? (He has been with the Father from the beginning. He earned the right to be our Savior by giving His life for us. Also see verse 4). Did you notice in verse 10 who laid the foundation of the earth? What reward has Christ been given for paying for our sins with His life? Who is it that is sitting on the Father's right hand?
What’s your responsibility?
Jesus gave His all for you, what must you give to Him?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Go over the Activity in the Students book with the class. Have students recite Psalm 8 for this book's memory work. Give an award to those who can.
REACH Activity
Memory Verse Spotlight
Read John 5:37. Do you believe Jesus? Do you think He ever lied? He couldn’t have lied. If He had lied, He would have sinned, and we know He was innocent! So what do you do with this scripture? It says, “You have never heard his voice nor seen his form” (NIV). Maybe Jesus was just talking to His disciples. Maybe there were others who actually saw the Father. No, not according to John 1:18. So think about this for a moment. Who was the God that talked with Abraham and Moses? Who was the God who walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden? Who was the God who wrestled with Jacob?
Talk about this with your family. Do some more research. Then write down what you find in your Bible notebook.
Where in the World? Salem
Melchizedek is called the king of Salem. Where was Salem? What is another name for Salem? Find an outline map of Israel during Abraham’s day. Make a copy of it. Then, using a Bible reference (atlas, encyclopedia), find where Salem was. Then look up the kings from the north who took Lot captive. Where were the cities that were taken captive? Plot all of these locations on your map and file it in your Bible notebook.
They Did What Back Then? Theophany
A theophany is an appearance of God. It’s pretty clear from your lesson that Melchizedek is an appearance of God. Can you think of any others? How about the pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire leading the Israelites through the wilderness? Is there one in Daniel 2? What about Judges 13:15-22? What about Joshua 5:13-15? Can you think of any others? (Hint: There are lots!!) Write several down in your Bible notebook.
Making It Mine: Putting It All Together
Proverbs 25:2 says, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out” (ESV). Piece by piece we study the Bible to find out more about God, His plan in our lives, and His will for us. We learn of His love and more of His commandments. We keep seeking. And because we keep seeking, God blesses us. Make it a habit to ask questions about what you read in the Bible. Look for the answers. Tie scriptures together. Talk about your questions and thoughts with people you believe have a good understanding of God and His ways. Keep learning more about the great God of the universe. Start right now. Reading through your lesson for this week, is there another question you would like answered? Write it down. Pray for wisdom. Seek godly counsel. May God bless your efforts.
Worldview Collisions: The Existence of God
Secular worldviews deny the existence of God. Some believe that faith in the One True God is just a crutch - something to make you feel better instead of facing reality. A Biblical worldview says that God does exist. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (NIV). Romans 1:19-20 say, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (ESV).
Write this worldview collision in your Bible notebook. Then write several reasons why you believe that God is real!
Questions
As you’re working through the YEA lesson, Daily Devotionals, doing the activity, or reading the Bible, be sure to write down any questions you have. That way you’ll remember to ask someone. Also remember to share the really interesting things you’re learning with family and friends.
Song
"I Exalt Thee" is on page 39 of The Group Songbook.
Closing Prayer
Have the students form a circle and join hands. Ask each student to give one clue that tells us who The Mystery Man is. Ask for a volunteer to lead in prayer thanking God for giving us a Savior who has been with the Father for all eternity and for granting us greater understanding of the Bible by learning who The Mystery Man is.
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