So also, Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: ‘You are My Son; today I have begotten You.’ As He also says in another place: ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek”; who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest ‘according to the order of Melchizedek’” (Hebrews 5:5-10).
Jehovah is the God of law and order. Our physical universe is governed by immutable laws. Order and pattern are prolific in nature. The same is true about the spiritual world.
This section of Hebrews emphasizes the legal legitimacy of Jesus’ high priesthood. Why should the Old Testament’s Aaronic high priesthood be abandoned, and Jesus’ high priesthood embraced? Is He a usurper, or is He the rightful, legitimate, Scriptural, God-chosen, God-approved high priest?
The inspired penman clearly states that Jesus “did not glorify Himself to become high priest” (v. 5). Rather, when He had been perfectly qualified with every needed credential (v. 9), God called (i.e., appointed) Him to be high priest as king Melchizedek had been centuries before (v. 10).
Two powerful points are given to verify the legitimacy of Jesus’ high priesthood.
-
The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (vv. 5-6). Because of Jesus’ miraculous conception in Mary’s womb (Luke 1:31-35) and His resurrection from the grave (Acts 13:33-34), Jesus’ impeccable credentials as the Son of God are undeniable. Such is necessary because the predicted king-priest appointed to be according to the order of Melchizedek (Psalm 110:4) was also David’s Lord—i.e., God (Psalm 110:1).
-
Jesus’ godly fear and faithful-unto-death obedience to God (vv. 7-9). No corners were cut. No exceptions were made. No blind eyes “examined” the evidence. No flaws were overlooked. Jesus’ high priesthood is not the result of nepotism or divine favoritism. The rigorous criteria necessary for Him to become the Savior of the world were all met; therefore, He is now fully qualified to be high priest.
The New Testament’s high priest is not a fraud, a pretender, or an interloper.
Because Jesus is the author of eternal salvation, He was called by God to be high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is one hundred percent legit.
