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There were many priests and each year they had to offer sacrifices. This method of offering sacrifices was effective for only a certain period of time and therefore it had its limits. But now the One who is perfect and without spot or blemish has offered His own body once for all as the eternal sacrifice. He has dealt with our weaknesses eternally. He has become the eternal high priest. This is God's plan.
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Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.5 (Hebrews 6:19-20)
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For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave
a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. (Hebrews 7:1-3)
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Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary into Joseph's family. If we take a look at His lineage, we find that He was not of the tribe of Levi, but of the tribe of Judah. Not only had there never been a high priest from the tribe of Judah, but also, according to the law of Moses, a man of that tribe could not become a high priest. Nevertheless, Jesus, whom God caused to be born to the tribe of Judah, is our High Priest. Just as Melchizedek, who was without genealogy or descent, became a priest, Jesus qualified to be seated as the eternal High Priest even though He was not born into the tribe of Levi. Melchizedek was without genealogy or descent, but Abraham gave Him one tenth of all he had received, and was blessed by Him. All of the Israelites who would later be born as his descendants were within the body of Abraham at that time. Of course this includes the tribes of Levi and Judah. So when Melchizedek blessed Abraham, weren't all of the Israelites also blessed with him?
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Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)
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As we can see from this verse, Jesus was different; He was the Son of God according to the promise.
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If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron? For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. For He of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar. For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another Priest, Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. For He testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. (Hebrews 7:11-19)
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5 "Melchisedec" is the spelling used in the King James Version of the Bible. Elsewhere in this text the more widely used spelling of Melchizedek is used.
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