Priest | Carolyn E. Jacobs

This week’s name is a two-fer: Priest and Prophet. We’ll look at priest today, and the next post will focus on prophet.

Ann Spangler says:

Prophet, priest, and king–these were the three major offices in Israel, titles also ascribed to Jesus. While the king governed as God’s representative on earth, the priest’s role was to represent the people to God . . .

We’ve already looked at King here and here.

Jesus is not only king; He’s our high priest, the One Who represents us before the Father.. But Jesus wasn’t of Aaron’s line, the Levitical priesthood. Hebrews tells us He is of the order of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek?

We first see this mysterious figure, Melchizedek, the King of Salem, in Genesis 14. He blesses Abraham, and Abraham gives him a tithe. It’s little more than a passing reference, and he slips back into obscurity.

He pops up again in a Messianic Psalm.

The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind,

“You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek.” – Psalm 110:4

Hmph. That just deepens the mystery. Who is this “priest forever?”

We find the answer in Hebrews.

This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and reliable and one which enters within the veil, where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 6:19-20

Why Melchizedek, not Aaron?

Because Aaron’s priesthood was a type, a shadow of the good things to come. The Levitical priesthood offered sacrifices as a stopgap measure for sin, but Jesus’s sacrifice was once for all time.

In fact, you could sum up Hebrews in 4 words: Jesus is better than . . .

He’s better than angels. After all, He created them, and they worship Him.

He gives a better rest than Joshua.

He’s a better sacrifice than bulls and goats.

He’s a better high priest than Aaron.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let’s hold firmly to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. – Hebrews 4:14-16

When He goes before the Father on our behalf, having presented Himself as the prefect sacrifice, He’s fully God and yet fully man. He knows our struggles, because He’s one of us.

And Melchizedek? He’s the King of Salem, which means King of Peace. And Melchizedek translates to King of Righteousness. Our High Priest is the King of Peace and the King of Righteousness.

Finally, He offers a better covenant.

So if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also. . . .by the same extent Jesus also has become the guarantee of a better covenant. – Hebrews 7:11-12, 22

What is that better covenant? With His sacrifice, He offers us a new spirit – His Spirit. He offers a new heart and freedom from sin and the promise of eternal life – with Him. Yes, please! And thank you!