For this Melchizedek– King of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham and blessed him as he returned from defeating the kings,(HCSB).
and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything; first, his name means “king of righteousness,” then also, “king of Salem,” meaning “king of peace”; without father, mother, or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God — remains a priest forever. Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth of the plunder! The sons of Levi who receive the priestly office have a commandment according to the law to collect a tenth from the people –that is, from their brothers–though they have [also] descended from Abraham. But one without this lineage collected tithes from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.(HCSB)
Before the law was introduced through Moses, there came in a priest who was known ashave been spoken about him in regard to the offering he received from Abraham. But there is more about this priest when it comes to the manifestation of the son of GOD , Jesus Christ. Melchizedek was a priest in God’s election of divinity. The story of his origin and his end is not know. He represents the divine priesthood of God in time before the full debut of the son of man. He was with not beginning and with no end which equates him to God and this gives us a reason to say it was second show of redeeming priesthood of God to humanity even before the law was to come. The first show of God’s priesthood was in Genesis when he clothed man from animal skin which means he made a sacrifice. Therefore, Melchizedek is no different from Jesus Christ who once for all has become a priest through his own flesh and blood. Melchizedek showed once for all and introduced the rule of tithe for a blessing and this by law came to the levies tribe.Understand this, By law the Levies became priest but by God’s divine election Melchizedek as well as Jesus become priest over God’s people.
The reason for a priest Like Melchizedek
If, then, perfection came through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law ), what further need was there for another priest to arise in the order of Melchizedek, and not to be described as being in the order of Aaron?(HCSB).
The reason for a new priest as Melchizedek was the weakness of the priesthood of men. Jesus who is king of righteousness was the perfect priest who could and has redeemed humanity form all sins through his death and resurrection.
Look at this, the levitical priests had to offer a sacrifice for there own sin before they offered one for the people. And as though not enough it was to be annual for the blood of goat and bulls can not cleans am man for God but that of His lamb Jesus Christ was and is the only blood that the father has accepted for redeeming humanity and therefore we have become like Jesus once and for all. Not annual and in seasons but all the the time. We have become the righteousness of God now that a righteous priest rose into a position to change the rules of the writen codes to restore man unto God.
For it has been testified: You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.(HCSB)
A priest of an oath and a priest of Law
So the previous commandment is annulled because it was weak and unprofitable (for the law perfected nothing), but a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God. None of this [happened] without an oath. For others became priests without an oath, but He with an oath made by the One who said to Him: The Lord has sworn, and He will not change His mind, You are a priest forever. So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now many have become [Levitical] priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office.(HCSB)
But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. For this is the kind of high priest we need: holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He doesn’t need to offer sacrifices every day, as high priests do–first for their own sins, then for those of the people. He did this once for all when He offered Himself.(HCSB)
The Manifestation of the soon of man was not without an oath, by the father. This is the full assurance of the perfection of God in redemption. That’s why, law, in its imperfection was to direct us to someone perfect. Actually law was and it to show us of our weakness and imperfection and the need of a perfect savior. Today we have a priest who is in office not for a limited time but forever. His work was done once for all. not for Himself but for us all that are on this earth. All we need is to walk before him for mercy and grace for it is availed for us everyday till the second coming of the Son of God as King not to redeem but to judge.
For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak, but the promise of the oath, which came after the law, [appoints] a Son, who has been perfected forever.(HCSB)
By: Bro. Godfrey Kithinji