Yes, Jesus' priesthood after the order of Melchizedek is significant because it makes Him the high priest of all humanity, not just Israel.
Unlike Aaron's priesthood, which was limited to Israel, Melchizedek's order predates Israel and encompasses all people. As our high priest, Jesus entered the heavenly tabernacle with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption for everyone.
Hebrews 9:11 — This verse directly connects Christ's high priesthood to a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands.
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is a high priest after the order of Melchizedek, not after the order of Aaron (Hebrews 7:17). This distinction is significant because Melchizedek was a priest of God most high who ministered to Abraham long before the Levitical priesthood was established (Genesis 14:18-20). Hebrews 9:11 states that Christ came as a high priest of good things to come by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands. Then Hebrews 9:12 says He entered into the holy place once for all, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Christ's priesthood is not limited to Israel. He teaches that Melchizedek was the high priest of the Gentile, appearing before Israel became a nation, and thus Christ is the high priest of every human being, regardless of race or status. Les connects this to Christ's ascension on resurrection morning, where He forbade Mary to touch Him because He had to present His blood in the heavenly holy place. He explains that Christ entered the heavenly tabernacle, not made with hands, with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption for all.
Les Feldick points out that Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi, so He was not eligible to be a priest after the order of Aaron. Instead, He became a priest after the order of Melchizedek, which is not based on the law of a carnal commandment but on the power of an endless life.
Melchizedek was not a priest of Israel; he was a high priest of all. Similarly, Christ is not just the high priest of Israel out of the tribe of Levi, but He is the high priest of every human being. This includes both Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, all races.
On resurrection morning, Jesus told Mary Magdalene not to touch Him because He had to ascend to the Father to fulfill His role as high priest. He needed to present His blood in the heavenly holy place as the undefiled high priest, unblemished by human touch.
Christ entered a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, which is in heaven. This matches the pattern Moses was given for the earthly tabernacle. Christ entered that heavenly holy place with His own blood, not the blood of animals, and obtained eternal redemption.
Resurrection Morning
Les explains that Mary did not initially recognize Jesus, and He appeared normal, not disfigured as she might have expected.
High Priest of All
Les states that Christ is not a high priest after Aaron but after Melchizedek, making Him high priest of whomever we might be, not just the Jew.
Not After Aaron
Les explains that Jesus was not eligible for the Aaronic priesthood because He came from Judah, and His priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek.
High Priest of Every Human Being
Les emphasizes that Christ is the high priest of every human being, not just Israel, because Melchizedek appeared before Israel became a nation.
Eternal Redemption
Les teaches that Christ entered the heavenly holy place with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption for us, fulfilling the role of high priest of all.
Heavenly Tabernacle
Les connects Christ's high priesthood after Melchizedek to the greater and more perfect tabernacle in heaven, not made with hands.
Interceding High Priest
Les assures that we have a high priest interceding for us at the throne of heaven, after the order of Melchizedek.
Entered Once
Les explains that Christ entered the holy place once for all time, with His own blood, obtaining eternal redemption.
Hebrews 9:11: But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
This verse introduces Christ as high priest of the heavenly tabernacle.
Hebrews 9:12: Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
This verse shows how Christ's priesthood differs from the old covenant sacrifices.
Hebrews 7:15: And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,
This verse indicates a new priest after Melchizedek's order.
Hebrews 7:16: Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.
This verse explains that this priesthood is based on endless life, not lineage.
John 20:17: Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
This verse records Jesus' instruction to Mary, highlighting His need to ascend as high priest.
Jesus came from the tribe of Judah, not Levi, so He was not eligible for the Aaronic priesthood. Instead, He became a priest after the order of Melchizedek, based on the power of an endless life.
Jesus entered the heavenly holy place with His own blood, not the blood of animals, and obtained eternal redemption for all who believe. He intercedes for us at the throne of God.
Jesus had to ascend to the Father to fulfill His role as high priest, presenting His blood in the heavenly holy place. He had to be undefiled, so He could not be touched by human hands before that ascent.
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