A priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek - King of Kings

Hebrews 5 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; ² he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; ³ and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. ⁴ And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.

⁵ So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him,

“You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”;

⁶ just as He says also in another passage,

“You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”

⁷ In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. ⁸ Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. ⁹ And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, ¹⁰ being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

¹¹ Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

In today’s text it says:  So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”; just as He says also in another passage, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.   What is the significance of Jesus being a priest according to the order of Melchizedek rather than according to the line of Aaron?  The text says:  Every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; he can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was.  The priests from the line of Aaron were also men beset with weakness. They offered sacrifices for sins out of an obligation.   In Genesis 14:17-20 it says:  After his (Abram) return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. He blessed him and said, “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”  The priestly order born through the line of Aaron are appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God. Melchizedek’s priesthood was different in that he was not only a priest of God Most High, but also a king.  Jesus is our high priest appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, but He is also a king. He is in fact the King of Kings. Jesus was also a Son. The sacrifice He offered was not out of obligation, but rather out of obedience and love.  In Matthew 28:18 Jesus says:  “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”  Jesus has all authority, both of heavenly and of earthly things.

Today and every 4 years in this nation we select a president, who is elected and appointed with certain authority. Leaders in the church are called by God and appointed by people to serve on behalf of both God and people. Jesus was not voted in and cannot be voted out. His reign and authority are forever.  Hebrews 7:24-25 says: Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.  Regardless of what happens today and in the ensuing weeks, Jesus will remain King of Kings. He will continue to intercede for those who draw near to God.  Philippians 2:10-11 says:  At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Revelation 22:12-21 says:  “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life, and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral persons, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying.  “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”  The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost. I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.   Jesus isn’t on the ballot today, but the things of God are, so we should choose wisely. Jesus won’t be elected, but He also will not be defeated. He is still the best choice any of us can make today. He is coming again to establish His authority on earth.  One day every knee will bow and confess that He is Lord. Make Him your choice today.

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.