Today, Melchizedek =

Today’s reading (Hebrews 7) features an obscure character from the Old Testament named Melchizedek, who is compared repeatedly to Jesus. The hope is that the original Hebrews who read this letter would better understand who Jesus is because they understood who Melchizedek was. Well, that was a good idea 2000 years ago, but most people today haven’t read the Old Testament and don’t know who Melchizedek is. I do know, but I’m still not sure if I’m pronouncing his name correctly…

So this chapter made me wonder: Who could be used today for that purpose? If you want to help someone understand who Jesus is and what He did for us, who could you point to as an (obviously insufficient) example, to maybe help the person “get” Jesus a little better? Harriet Tubman? Clint Eastwood’s character in Gran Torino? Peace Corps volunteers? Gahndi? Anyone? Anyone?