73- Eucharist Sacrament Is Also A Reminder Of The Priesthood Of Melchizedek

[22] This Sacrament Is Also A Reminder Of The Priesthood Of Melchizedek

Saint Paul has explicitly described Christ’s priesthood as of Melchizdek’s.

(Heb 7:11) 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?

(Heb 7:15) And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest

He also emphasises the fact that the Melchizedek’s priesthood is confirmed by an oath, while the one of Aaron is not.

(Heb 7:21) for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: "The LORD has sworn And will not relent, 'You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek

So here it is obvious that the priesthood of the Old Testament was for a limited duration, but the one of the New Testament is eternal.

St-Takla.org Image: Melchizedek. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: ملكي صادق.

The reference of Saint Paul’s teaching is derived from Psalm 110.

(Psa 110:4) The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

So, what is this priesthood of Melchizedek?

Melchizedek did not offer a blood sacrifice, but he offered the divine offering of bread and wine, as carried out by Christ on Maundy Thursday, as we have discussed this issue before here on st-takla.org in other sections. Here is one of the similarities between the priesthood of Christ and Melchizedek’s

Also the priesthood of Christ, as with that of Melchizedek’s, is neither tribal nor inheritable.

(Heb 7:3) without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

Also the Sacrifice of wine and bread synonymies with the blessing endowed on Jacob

The Patriarch Isaac said of his son Jacob:

(Gen 27:37) Then Isaac answered and said to Esau, "Indeed I have made him your master, and all his brethren I have given to him as servants; with grain and wine I have sustained him. What shall I do now for you, my son?"

Also Isaac uttered the following blessing for Jacob to his son:

(Gen 27:28) Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine.

For it was necessary that Christ would come from the descendants of Jacob who would bless the nations by using grain and wine saying:

(Mat 26:26-27).. "Take, eat; this is My body." And this is my Blood "Drink from it, all of you. "

Melchizedek was counted as a priest though he did not offer a blood sacrifice, but offered bread and wine. So it was Christ who came as a priest on the order of Melchizedek.

Hence there is priesthood which offers a blood sacrifice, and their is another type of priesthood which offers bread and wine sacrifice.

Through the priesthood, the sacrament of bread and wine remains.

The expression “ Priests on the order of Melchizedek” is a perpetual priesthood, which will continue as long as we are in need for forgiveness of sin.

We are going to address a number of objections to this sacrament, before returning back to our main subject matter.