Messiah: A Priest after the Order of Melchizedek

"The Lord has sworn And will not relent, 'You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.' The Lord is at your right hand; He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the nations...He shall drink of the brook by the wayside; Therefore, He shall lift up the head." (Psalm 110:4-6a, 7, NKJV). "and it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 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.' " (Hebrews 7:15-17, NKJV [Read Hebrews 7]

The priest Melchizedek is somewhat of a mystery man in the Old Testament. He appeared after Abraham's defeat of Chedorlaomer and his three allies (read about this account in Genesis 14:18-20). Abraham recognized him as a priest "of the most High God," and gave him a tenth of his spoils from the battle. This action on Abraham's behalf showed that he recognized God's part in his victory and also that there were others who worshiped El Elyon, the Most High God. Psalm 110 is a Messianic psalm written by David. Jesus referred to this Psalm by asking the Pharisees a question in Matthew 22:42-45 about Himself, "Whose Son is He?" Of course they replied, "The Son of David." Then Jesus continued: "How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls Him Lord? For he says, 'The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.' 'If then David calls Him Lord, how can He be his Son?' No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions."

The writer of Hebrews considers both Melchizedek and Christ to be kings of righteousness and peace. At the right time, Melchizedek appeared to Abraham to reinforce his faith and to make him aware that victory comes through the Most High God. At the right time, Jesus, Messiah, a new priest, far superior to the old Levitical order of priesthood, appeared and made the once-for-all sacrifice for our sins. And we are taught, moreover, that He now sits at the right hand of God and makes intercession for us. To sit at the 'right hand' of a king is the highest honor. Jesus is in the highest honor at God's right hand, and well He should be! The Melchizedek priesthood (he appeared at the right time to minister to Abraham) is an illustration and forerunner for Christ our High Priest. Jesus' power as priest comes through His sacrifice but also "one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life" (Hebrews 7:16, NIV). The crowning jewel verse of Hebrews aptly sums up the life, work and sacrifice of Jesus, a priest after the order of Melchizedek. "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him because He always lives to intercede for them." (Hebrews 7:25). Praise be to God!

c Ethelene Dyer Jones; Tuesday, December 7, 2010