JESUS CHRIST IS PRIEST FOREVER ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK
Sakkie Parsons
Translated from Afrikaans: “Jesus Christus is Priester vir ewig volgens die orde van Melgisédek”
Someone wrote to me, asking if I don’t want to write something about Jesus’ priesthood according to the order of Melchizedek.
I think the passage the person is referring to is Hebrews 5:6, but I am quoting from Hebrews 5:5:
HEB 5:5-6
5So too Christ did not glorify Himself so as to be made a high priest, but He [was exalted and appointed by the One] who said to Him,“YOU ARE MY SON,
TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN (fathered) YOU [declared Your authority and rule over the nations]”;
6just as He also says in another place,“YOU ARE A PRIEST [appointed] FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
We read for the first time of Melchizedek in GENESIS 14:18:
Gen 14:18-19
18Melchizedek king of Salem (ancient Jerusalem) brought out bread and wine [for them]; he was the priest of God Most High. 19And Melchizedek blessed Abram and said,“Blessed (joyful, favored) be Abram by God Most High,
Creator and Possessor of heaven and earth;
There are, from what I have heard, all sorts of things – I call them speculations – that people make about Melchizedek. About for example, whom he was – but in the end, as I see it, it’s just people’s speculation – simply because what you’ve just read is all we know about him.
So, what does it mean: Jesus is “Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek?”
Now let me explain:
Melchizedek was a king:
Gen 14:18 18Melchizedek king of Salem…
Jesus is a King – but not just any king. Jesus is much more than just a king. He is, King of kings:
Not only is He King over the kings, but He is the King who sacrificed Himself for our salvation through His blood on the cross.
REV 1:5
5and from Jesus Christ, the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)—
Then also:
Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.”
Jesus Christ is also our King of Righteousness:
2PET 1:1
1Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative) of Jesus Christ,
To those who have received and possess [by God’s will] a precious faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
Furthermore –
Unlike other kings, Melchizedek was also a priest of God:
GEN 14:18
18Melchizedek king of Salem (ancient Jerusalem) brought out bread and wine [for them]; he was the priest of God Most High.
Jesus is not only our Priest but He is our High Priest:
HEB 4:14-16
14In as much then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. 15For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. 16Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment].
This then is how I understand the order of Melchizedek when I read:
HEB 5:6 6just as He also says in another place,“YOU ARE A PRIEST [appointed] FOREVER
ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
I now conclude this writing with the following:
We read in our Lord’s precious Word:
1COR 15:22
22For just as in Adam all die, (that is all who do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour) so also in Christ all will be made alive. (These are all who accept Jesus Christ, the King of righteousness, as their Lord and Saviour)
Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour?
Remember, if you are unsure of your answer, you can know for sure you have not yet truly opened your heart to Jesus.
So, if you read this today, you feel you are missing something in your life. Starting with peace of mind and a lot of other things you can name; I want to ask you –
Just read again what the King of righteousness is saying, namely Jesus Christ, who also want to become your King and High Priest in your life:
MAT 6:33
33But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.
How do you do it?
ACTS 2:38-39
38And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39“For the promise [of the Holy Spirit] is for you and your children and for all who are far away [including the Gentiles], as many as the Lord our God calls to Himself.” (We just must take it from Him and make it our own)
Open your heart to Jesus.
Through this writing that you are reading now, Jesus, the King of righteousness, who would like to be a Priest in your life, is saying to you again today:
ISA 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be like wool.
In the next section as you read: ” and have a meal with him, and he with Me. “
Jesus is saying that He and you will have a wonderful intimate friendship, full of love.
In the time when Revelation was written, it happened as a rule, that you only invite someone for a meal with whom you had a particularly intimate friendship.
REV 3:20-21
20‘Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me.
21‘He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.
Sakkie
Email: bediening@sakkieparsons.co.za
Website: www.sakkieparsons.co.za
Cell: 083 457 6669
Jude 1:24-25 To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy, to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
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