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Jesus Christ’s priesthood
Melchizedek’s priesthood shares several characteristics with Jesus Christ’s priesthood. So you’ll see the phrase after the order of Melchizedek to describe Jesus Christ’s priesthood in Psalms and in Hebrews. Here is what Jesus Christ’s priesthood looks like in Melchizedek.
Priest whose name means righteousness
- Melchizedek’s name means King of righteousness in Hebrews 7:2. His name is righteousness.
- Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- Again in Jeremiah 33:16
Royal priesthood
- Melchizedek’s office is King of Salem (Jerusalem) which means king of peace (shalom) in Hebrews 7:2. His kingdom is peace.
- Isaiah 9:7 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.
- Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
- 1 Peter 2:9-11
Perfect priesthood
- Priest of God by choice
- Melchizedek doesn’t come from any pedigree of priests so he is a Priest of the most high God by an oath.
- The Levitical priesthood was limited to the Jews and specifically those who were born from Levi. Levites were the sons responsible for priesthood. They had no choice in the matter.
- Melchisedec was not from a priestly lineage. He had no father or mother that was a priest. There was no tracing his family to any priesthood.
- No priestly heritage – Hebrews 7:3 …without father, without mother, without descent…
- Jesus Christ is not from a priestly family (Hebrews 7:14), He would be a priest because of an oath – Hebrews 7:19-22. The Levitical priesthood was determined by the first birth, a carnal requirement, must be from the tribe of Levi. However Christ’s priesthood was by choice, as was Melchizedek’s.
- Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
- The perfection in Christ’s priesthood was that it was by choice, not by first birth according to Hebrews 7:11, 19.
Eternal priesthood
- In the Levitical setup a priest would minister from 30-50 years old.
- Melchisedec was not limited to any age. (Hebrews 7:15-16)
- ..having neither beginning of days nor end of life: but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
- Jesus Christ’s priesthood is eternal according to Hebrews 7:23-28.
