Sunday, January 13, 2019

Perfect Priest, Prince of Peace

Hebrews 7:11-16 
11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.  14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life.

The Levitical priesthood no longer administers sacraments to God, but a new priesthood outside of it now is in place.  The Law changed from a commandment of fleshly efforts to the work of resurrection with the promise of eternal life through the one true Priest, Jesus the Christ.  He came from eternity, unseen and unknown in the manner of Melchizedek, for we did not see or expect the Word becoming flesh, God and man in union.  This new priest is not new, therefore, but unexpected and perfect because He is perfectly able to forever intercede for His people because of His life, suffering, death, and resurrection in power.  God’s priest is the prince of peace reigning from the heavenly Jerusalem, echoing Melchizedek as an earthly prince of peace of what was to become the earthly Jerusalem.  God’s High Priest rules as proven by His work and as the firstfruits of eternal life ministered to us.  

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