Divinity of Christ's Priesthood | Greater than Melchizedek

1.) How is Jesus's ministry of the priesthood superior to that of Melchizedek's?

Psalm 110:4 introduces the priesthood of Melchisedec into the compare and contrast format into the book of Hebrews in 5:6 in the writer’s quotation: “As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.”

Comparison- “Melchizedek” was not after the Levitical priesthood. Yet, he was the “priest of the most high God.” (Genesis 14:18b) His priesthood was not after the manner of burnt offerings and legalities. His priesthood “Blessed” Abram who is “of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:” (Genesis 14:19). Furthermore, the priesthood blessed God as “the most high” and Abram (Abraham) “gave him tithes of all.” Correlating Melchizedek and Abraham establish a priesthood of faith. Speaking of Abraham, it says “By faith he sojourned in the land of promise” (Hebrews 11:9a). Abraham a man of faith in God aided in blessing God by the response of the priesthood of Melchizedek. Hebrews 12:2a says, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”. Responding to the priesthood of Christ likewise, must be done in faith: “But without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6a).

Potentially, some theological foreshadowing in comparison is the bringing forth of “bread and wine”. (Genesis 14:18) Of course, Christ symbolically delivers bread (His body) and wine (His blood) during Passover in Matthew 26. This holds significant grounds in Messianic foreshadowing to the sacrifice of Christ. Another potential theological component is the nature of “Melchizedek” is that he was a Gentile. For he was not of the twelve patriarchs. This priesthood blessed God and correlated Abraham who in his seed would all nations be blessed. This sheds light on God’s plan of salvation to be for all nations.

Contrast- Of course, our high priest is not Melchisedec. Hebrews 5:10 clearly states in the chapter of its introduction, “Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.” (Hebrews 5:10) Christ being the Son of God is an eternal high priest. Verse 9 says, “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Comparatively, Christ’s is a priesthood of faith. Yet, the contrast is that Christ is “perfect” and He is “the author of eternal salvation”. (v.9) The exposition of Psalm 110:4 begs the question, “If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?” (Hebrews 7:11) Christ dying for the offense, also was raised for our justification. Hebrews 7:17 says concerning the priesthood of Christ, “Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.” Christ is far superior not only to Melchisedec, but also the priesthood of Aaron in that He operates the priesthood “after the power of an endless life” being the Son of God. Chapter 7 truly reaches the elevation of this point which began in chapter 5.

2.) Christ's self-sacrifice, why no more sacrifice for sin is needed.

On the seventh month, the tenth day of the month every year the high priest would go into the temple for the sacrifice of the people. After an extensive process of changing of his garments and sacrifices for his own sins he’d enter into the Holy of Holies. One goat would be killed for the sins of all the people. The other would have the sins of Israel confessed over its head and by a designated man was sent away from Israel as the scape goat. This mention in Hebrews 9:6-8 refers to the sacrificial nature of Christ’s priesthood. Christ never sinned. If the blood of bulls and goats provided brought about purification, how much greater is the sacrifice of The Perfect Lamb of God? Hebrews 9:13-14 says, “For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” The sacrifices of beasts were temporal and therefore continuously repeated. “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” (Hebrews 9:12). This point is further elevated in, “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.” (v.18) God being eternal provided Himself as the sacrifice as an eternal atonement for sin for all those who are sanctified by Him.

Works Cited

E-Sword: the Sword of the Lord with an Electronic Edge. E-Sword Net, 2000.

The Holy Bible: King James Version. World Wide Publications, 1976.