Jesus the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek
Hebrews 7:17(ESV) For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
In the Old Testament, a priest was a priest according to the order of Aaron. These priests would have come from the lineage of Aaron. The Melchizedek priesthood was transferred from Melchizedek to Abraham, and ultimately to Aaron.
Hebrews 7:11(AMP) Now if perfection [a perfect fellowship between God and the worshiper] had been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people were given the Law) what further need was there for another and different kind of priest to arise, one in the manner of Melchizedek, rather than one appointed to the order of Aaron?
Priests, according to the order of Aaron, were not kings but priests only.
Hebrews 7:1(AMP) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God,
The eternal nature of the order of Melchizedek is presented in
Hebrews 7:3(AMP) Without [any record of] father or mother, nor ancestral line, without [any record of] beginning of days (birth) nor ending of life (death), but having been made like the Son of God, he remains a priest without interruption and without a successor.
When the Levitical priests offered sacrifices to God for the people’s sins, they slaughtered a lamb or goat. Over a period of 1,500 years, from the time of Aaron until the time when Jesus established the New Covenant, all the descendants of Levi (the tribe of Levi) continued to serve as priests according to the order of Aaron, in the earthly sanctuary.
Melchizedek is described as king of righteousness and king of peace, saying that like Jesus, He remains a priest forever.
David, being moved by the Holy Spirit, prophesied that the Lord (Christ) would come to serve as a High Priest to the order of Melchizedek.
Psalm 110:1-4(AMP) The LORD (Father) says to my Lord (the Messiah, His Son), “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet [subjugating them into complete submission].” The LORD will send the scepter of Your strength from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.” Your people will offer themselves willingly [to participate in Your battle] in the day of Your power; In the splendor of holiness, from the womb of the dawn, Your young men are to You as the dew. The LORD has sworn [an oath] and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
The order of Aaron was a priesthood in which the priests offered the blood sacrifices of animals to God, while the order of Melchizedek is a division of priesthood in which the sacrifice of bread and wine is offered. Jesus was the final sacrifice, for us, the price has been paid, and no other sacrifice is needed. Jesus was the final sacrifice for forgiving of our sins. The priesthood in the order of Melchizedek is not only perfect but also eternal and never changing.
Hebrews 6:20(AMP) where Jesus has entered [in advance] as a forerunner for us, having become a High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:23-24(AMP)The [former successive line of] priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were each prevented by death from continuing [perpetually in office]; but, on the other hand, Jesus holds His priesthood permanently and without change, because He lives on forever.
The high priest’s duty is to mediate between holy God and His people, who are sinners, so the high priest is expressed as a mediator, being emphasised especially as the mediator of a New Covenant.
Hebrews 8:1(AMP) Now the main point of what we have to say is this: we have such a High Priest, [the Christ] who is seated [in the place of honor] at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty (God) in heaven.
Hebrews 8:6-8(AMP) But as it is, Christ has acquired a [priestly] ministry which is more excellent [than the old Levitical priestly ministry], for He is the Mediator (Arbiter) of a better covenant [uniting God and man], which has been enacted and rests on better promises. For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second one or an attempt to institute another one [the new covenant]. However, God finds fault with them [showing its inadequacy] when He says, “BEHOLD, THE DAY WILL COME, SAYS THE LORD, WHEN I WILL MAKE and RATIFY A NEW COVENANT WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;
I conclude, by knowing that Christ has an eternal priesthood, we can be confident that we are secure in Him forever. Our salvation and ability to keep going, is in the power of the eternal High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is after the order of Melchizedek, to protect us and keep us safe. In moments of uncertainty and feeling disheartened, let’s seek reference in Him, because He will support us until the very end.