Jesus as Priest
Quote: Originally Posted by xxxx I asked a Protestant pastor the question whether Jesus regarded Himself as a priest. He responds in the following way:
I am writing a detailed response to this claim, citing Mark 12 where Jesus quotes Ps 110 in which the messiah was understood to follow the priesthood of Melchizedek. I'm also going to touch upon the Melchizedekian priesthood that existed before the fall of the golden calf and show Jesus' connection to it. Any other points I should hit up?
I think he may just reiterate the point that he was speaking of the Levitical priesthood, not the Melchizadek, which you are pointing out with your reference. Had he claimed to be a Levitical priest, he would have been laughed out of town not coming from the right tribe.
The passover meal was something performed by non-priests in every household, so it is not a good image to make the point. Especially since making that point bolsters the idea that men outside of the Levitical priesthood can exercise priesthood authority in their own homes in the same way Melchizadek did. Notice that Melchizadek's offering was bread and wine... not blood sacrifices.
Ge 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Bread is part of the meat (although there is no meat involved) offering of God and represents fellowship with Him. Fellowship (obedience) is better than sacrifice, the same way that Mechizadek was a higher priest than the Levites.
I think your friend will readily agree that Jesus was a priest like Melchizadek.
Jesus as Priest The pastor was speaking particularly of the Levitical priesthood.
Jesus as Priest I think he will believe that you made his case for him.
He will say that you agree that Jesus was not a Levitical priest and couldn't have been.
Then he will be happy that you have made him a Melchizadek priest and also made the point that all men going back to Adam were priests, which is one of the main points of the reformation, the priesthood of all believers.