The Priesthood of Melchizedek

The Priesthood of Melchizedek

“Who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. For He testifies: ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

Jesus would have been a priest according to the law of a fleshly commandment—according to the order of man—if He had been born of the tribe of Levi. Almost everyone who becomes a priest or a preacher becomes one according to the order of man, because he has Bible school training or is talented, and not because he is God-fearing and has victory over sin.

Those who were Levitical priests took their sacrifices from outside themselves. They brought animals and various gifts as sacrifices, but Jesus, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself without spot to God. Heb. 9:14. He learned obedience by the things He suffered. Ch. 5:8-9. To obey, a person has to humble himself and be a sacrifice. Jesus did not murmur, neither was He dissatisfied; He was one with the Father to whom He was obedient. He offered Himself as a lamb without spot to God. Therefore He also received this testimony from God: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Then He did not need the testimony of man. John 5:34. He did not compete with the Levitical priests, and it wouldn’t have helped either if they had protested against Jesus being a priest on the basis of Him being of the seed of David; God’s testimony is greater than the testimony of man. 1 John 5:9-10. The sacrifices which the Levitical priests brought sanctified for the purifying of the flesh. Heb. 9:13. But Jesus did not come with only water—an outward cleansing; He came with water and blood. He gave Himself as a sacrifice, and the Spirit, who is the truth, testified to it. These three are God’s testimony concerning His Son.

Jesus was the High Priest in this priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek. However, we are also called to be priests in this priesthood. We become priests by going the same way Jesus went. Just as He was obedient and offered Himself, so we, too, must offer ourselves according to the Spirit’s working, and the exhortation is: “Do all things without murmuring and doubting.” Phil. 2:8-15. The offering must be blameless. Then the Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Rom. 8:16.

We don’t need the testimony of man either. All those who need this testimony compete with each other. They try to surpass each other with their oratorical skills and their knowledge. They are appointed priests, leading brothers, and preachers by majority vote. Consequently, there is always strife and division among such people who gain their positions according to the order of man.

Melchizedek was, firstly, king of righteousness and then also king of peace. Heb. 7:2. He was without father, without mother, without genealogy. This is how Jesus taught us: If we are to follow Him, then we have to hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even our own life. Luke 14:26. Paul says, “Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.” 2 Cor. 5:16. Only then can we be totally surrendered to God’s will. Then we have given ourselves as a blameless sacrifice, and, liberated from all consideration of ourselves and other people, we can perform the priestly ministry—be co-workers of Christ. All these people are all one, just as the Father and the Son are one. This is the royal priesthood. 1 Pet. 2:9.