When Paul wrote about the high priesthood of Jesus Christ, Paul referred to the order of Melchizedek. Who was Melchizedek and what does the order of Melchizedek mean? Melchizedek was not only king of Salem, but Melchizedek was also a priest of God the Most High. In the Old Testament of the Bible, there was no priest, who was also appointed as king, nor a king, who was also appointed as priest. Only Melchizedek, who lived before the law of Moses and the Levitical priesthood, was both king and priest.
The order of Aaron
For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron (Hebrews 5:1-4)
God had chosen the tribe of Levi; the Levites for the priesthood, whereby the sons of Levi would receive the office of the priesthood through natural birth. With the coming of the Levitical priesthood came the law of sin and death (Read also: ‘The revealing truth about the law of sin and death‘).
Aaron, the Levite, and brother of Moses, was chosen by God and appointed as the first high priest of God’s covenant. And the sons of Aaron were appointed as priests. The high priest and priests were anointed; appointed in the priesthood office and sanctified; set apart from the rest of the people unto God (Read also: ‘What does the Word say about the anointing‘).
The high priest was ordained to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.
The Levites were appointed over the tabernacle of testimony and over all the vessels and over all things that belonged to it. They had to bear the tabernacle and all the vessels thereof and minister unto it and encamp round about the tabernacle (Numbers 1:50)
The part and inheritance of Aaron and the Levites
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation (Numbers 18:20-21)
The part and inheritance of Aaron, the high priest, was the Lord and all the tenth in Israel was given to the Levites as an inheritance for their service which they served. And so God took care of the tribe of Levi.
In the Levitical priesthood, there was no high priest after the order of Aaron, who was appointed (anointed) as high priest and appointed (anointed) as king.
The tribe and genealogy of the priests
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 Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchizedek there ariseth another Priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For He testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 7:13-17)
Aaron belonged to the tribe of Levi, of which the genealogy was known. Therefore the descendants, and the beginning and the end of those, who were born of the seed of Levi and received the office of the priesthood, would be known.
However, the order of Aaron came to an end, when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to the earth. Jesus was not born of the seed of man and not belonged to the tribe of Levi, but Jesus belonged to the tribe of Juda and was born of the Seed of God, without beginning of life nor end of life. Just like Melchizedek, whose beginning and end were unknown (a.o. Hebrews 7:2-3)
Through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and His blood, a New Covenant was established for the new creation; the new man, who was born again in Jesus Christ and reconciled with God and belonged to the Kingdom of God.
Jesus is the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:14-15)
So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an High Priest; but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee. As He saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:5-6)
In order to become a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God and make reconciliation for the sins of the people, Jesus had to be made like His brethren and become a partaker of flesh and blood.
If Jesus was not made like His brethren, and would not have been a partaker of flesh and blood, Jesus could never take the place of mankind and become a Substitute for fallen man.
Jesus would not be able to make atonement for sins and through His death, destroy the devil, who had power over death, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage (Read also: Was Jesus fully Human?)
But Jesus became a partaker of flesh and blood and has been tempted in all things, just like we are, however without sin, so that Jesus can sympathize with our infirmities and help us when we come to Him in time of need, so that we don’t give in to the temptation but resist the temptation and sin not, just like Jesus (Hebrews 2:14-18; 4:15-16)
What do the bread and wine symbolize?
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My body (which is given for you). And He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:26-28), Mark 14:22-24, Luke 22:17-20)
As Melchizedek offered bread and wine to Abraham (Genesis 14:18-20), Jesus offered bread and wine to His disciples during the Last Supper.
By eating the bread that represented His body, and drinking the wine that represented His blood, they connected themselves with Jesus Christ and became partakers of the New Covenant in Him.
The institution of Communion by Jesus Christ, the High Priest, is part of the new priesthood and the New Covenant, which is meant for those who have become a new creation in Jesus Christ and belong to His Body; His Church.
Everyone, who takes the bread that represents His body, and drinks of the wine that represents His blood is united with Christ and becomes a partaker of Him; His body and His blood, and His sufferings, death, and resurrection.
Jesus Christ came to the earth and became a partaker of flesh and blood, and by taking His bread and wine; His flesh and blood, man becomes a partaker of Him and is made after His image and is seated in Him in the Heavenly Places.
Jesus Christ, the High Priest, took place of the throne
Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten Thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?
And again, when He bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, He saith, And let all the angels of God worship Him. And of the angels He saith, Who maketh His angels spirits, and His ministers a flame of fire.
But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even Thy God, hath anointed Thee with the oil of gladness above Thy fellows.
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: They shall perish; but Thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.
But to which of the angels said He at any time, Sit on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:3-14)
Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; A Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man (Hebrews 8:1-2)
With the New Covenant, which is sealed with the blood of Jesus Christ, a new priesthood and a new law were established, namely the law of the Spirit of life, which was meant for the new man, who was no longer carnal but spiritual.
Jesus Christ, the High Priest, presented His body, which was sacrificed for mankind and His own blood, that was shed, to His Father, when He ascended to heaven in a cloud and went through the heavens and entered the Holy of Holies and took place on the mercy seat; the throne of grace, at the right hand of the Father (Read also: What is Ascension Day?).
Jesus Christ is King
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment (Isaiah 32:1)
Jesus Christ took place on the throne of grace and the Father gave (temporarily) the kingship to His Son; Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ was not only High Priest of the New Covenant, but Jesus was also appointed King of the Kingdom of Heaven (a.o. Luke 1:31-33, 1 Corinthians 5:24, Ephesians 2:19-23, Colossians 1:13, Hebrews 1:8)
And so Jesus Christ became High Priest and King after the order of Melchizedek, because Melchizedek was also both king and priest of the Most High God.
Jesus had offered Himself as a living sacrifice and accomplished His work as High Priest and is still the High Priest of the New Covenant.
The blood of Christ is so powerful that it still makes atonement for the sins of those, who believe in Jesus Christ and decide to lay down their own life and follow Jesus Christ and become born again in Him (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7: 21-28, Hebrews 9:24-28).
Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom (Hebrews 1:8)
Jesus Christ is High Priest unto eternity, and Jesus is King of the Kingdom of Heaven, where righteousness is the scepter and where there is peace.
Jesus is King of righteousness and King of peace and Jesus reigns together with those, who are born again in Him and have become sons of God and belong to His Body; His Church.
The new creation lives as priest and reigns as king with Christ
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful Witness, and the first Begotten of the dead, and the Prince of the kings of the earth. Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation 1:4-6)
And when He had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Revelation 5:8-10).
Everyone, who has become a partaker of Him and is born again in Christ and has become a new creation, no longer belongs to the kingdom of darkness; the world and don’t live after the flesh like the world, but belongs to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, through the death of the flesh and the resurrection from the spirit from the dead, and lives after the Spirit in His will as priest and reigns together with Jesus Christ as king.
Through the Holy Spirit, God has put His law in the mind and written in the heart of the new man, so that everyone may know Him (Hebrews 8:10-11; 10:15-17).
And so everyone, who is born of God and belongs to God, lives in the New Covenant after the order of Melchizedek, in Him as priest, holy (set apart from the world and live unto God) and righteous after His will, and reigns with Him as king over the kingdom of darkness.
God has given all power to Jesus Christ. And the new man has been given all power and authority in Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit, to represent, preach, and bring His Kingdom to the people on earth and expose the lies of the devil and cast down the works of the kingdom of darkness, so that many souls be saved from the power of the devil and his kingdom and brought into the Kingdom of His dear Son.
‘Be the salt of the earth’
