Jesus Is the High Priest

A Priest Like Melchizedek

Psalm 110:1-7.

Key Verse: Psalm 110:4

The work of Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior can be considered a three-fold division: Prophet, Priest, and King. This Psalm is the most quoted in the New Testament more than any Old Testament passage. Jesus Himself cited this verse while He questioned the Pharisees about the Messiah found in Matthew 22:41-45, Mark 12:35-37, and Luke 20:41-44.

This Psalm:

1) Affirms the deity of Jesus Christ [v. 1].

2) Announces His eternal Priesthood [v. 4].

3) Is historical as it begins with His ascension into Heaven [v. 1].

4) Is prophetical as it looks forward to the Second Coming and Millennial Reign [vv. 5-6].

1) The Messiah as King [vv. 1-3]:

A. The LORD said unto my Lord [v. 1]. This is an equal speaking to an equal. David is in the middle of a conversation between God the Father and The Son [the Messiah]. LORD= Yahweh or Jehovah; Lord = Adonai or Master. “Jehovah says to my Adonai had to be the Lord Himself. It was this fact that Jesus presented to the Pharisees [Matthew 22:41-46] asking them how David’s Lord could be his son also. The only answer is by incarnation: the eternal Son of God had to come to earth as a human born into the family of David. Jesus Himself 100% man and 100% God. David’s Master and David’s son.

B. Sit thou at my right hand [v. 1]: a place of honor until His Second Coming when all of His enemies will be subjugated to Him. To be seated at the right hand of God is a position of great power. Jesus Christ was given this position after His death, resurrection, and ascension into Heaven, completing His work of salvation on behalf of this fallen sinful humanity. Hebrews 10:10-13.

The New Testament writers leave no room for doubt that the One who is seated at the right of God is none other than Jesus of Nazareth. He is only there until His enemies have been made His footstool. I Corinthians 15:24-28.

C. Psalm 110:2: At His second coming He will rule from Zion [Jerusalem] on the throne of David. Isaiah 2:3. Christ will be King with Jerusalem as His capital. The rod is a scepter, a symbol of royal authority. He has all authority to reign over all the earth. Here is not a matter of destroying His foes but ruling over them, for they have become His friends gladly submitting to His rule.

D. Psalm 110:3; During the day of thy power there will be the greatest turning to Jesus Christ that the world has ever seen.

2) The Messiah as Priest: Psalm 110:4. This is the heart of this Psalm and our key text. How can Jesus be a priest?

• A king we see because He was of the lineage of King David.

• The Son of David. He was born of the tribe of Judah.

• To be a priest He had to be of the tribe of Levi, the family of Aaron.

There was another priestly order Melchizedek. We first encounter him in Genesis 14:18-20. Abraham gives him tithes of all after he defeated the four kings. Melchizedek was king of Salem [Jerusalem] and identified as a “Priest of the Most High God.” Melchizedek was a type of Christ, the high priest. His order predated the priestly order of Aaron, who could not serve as kings. It was superior; it was an eternal priesthood because in Aaron’s the high priest would die and be replaced. Melchizedek was divinely appointed by God. Hebrews 7:3. So, Christ is appointed by God as a priest like Melchizedek. He combines the offices of priest and king. Hebrews 4:15.

How would this change your life if you heard Jesus praying for you, but He is!!

Hebrews 7, 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

3) The Messiah as Victorious Warrior [vv. 5-7]: Psalm 11:5-7. These verses picture the Lord Jesus as a mighty conqueror, putting down all lawlessness and rebellion. This will be fulfilled in the campaign of Armageddon, the height of His second coming! Revelation 19:11-21. Following this great victory, Jesus will rule and reign 1,000 years.

Jesus Christ is coming back!

Are you ready?

He will rule as King, serve as High Priest, and will be a righteous judge. The New Testament confirms the prophecy of Psalm 100: fulfilled in the Person of Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is exalted and enthroned in Heaven! Now! One day He will come back and conquer the devil and his armies and establish His kingdom on earth!

Hallelujah, what a Savior!