“We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God,” (Hebrews 6:19–7:1 ESV)
Melchizedek means king of righteousness and he was the king of Salem, which has the same Hebrew root word as Shalom (peace). The best Hebrew word to describe our ancestor’s existence in Eden is Shalom. There was a restful rhythm to life in the garden that was free of frustration, futility and conflict. The garden was a safe and prosperous place; it was good, friendly, healthy, perfect and the welfare of everyone was ensured – justice, fairness and equity reigned. Jesus came to take back this rebel world from the throughs of sin and evil; He came to conquer our rebel hearts and set up His rule and reign in them – He came to reestablish shalom. This is God’s mission in His Son: to reconcile rebel hearts to Himself and reestablish shalom for His glory and our joy. There is coming a day when King Jesus, our high priest, makes all things new, and reestablishes Shalom on a global & cosmic scale. The safe, just, fair, meaningful existence marked by prosperity, goodness, health and perfection that we all long for will return. Our hope is a Person: Jesus, who is a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul; this Hope is returning us to the restful rhythm of a life lived in the presence of our Creator.