And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
Hebrews 5:4-6
“You are my Son;
today I have become your Father.”
And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
in the order of Melchizedek.”
No one takes this honor on himself. The position of High Priest was not a sought after position such as CEO or President. In its original design, the calling of High Priest was passed from father to son. Later, politics and royalty got involved and messed up this perfect system.
Jesus, although not from the lineage of Aaron, received the highest appointment possible from His Father. He received the honor of being “in the order of Melchizedek.” Who is Melchizedek?
We see Melchizedek mentioned in two places – Genesis 14:18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and in Psalm 110, referenced in today’s scripture.
Do these references point to an actual person, or a position? Two Hebrew words make up Melchizedek – melek, meaning “king,” and tsedek, meaning “righteousness.” If we extend the view of Melchizedek referring to a position, we can look at the Genesis 14 mention to mean the “King of peace (Salem).”
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
