The Priesthood Of Christ

Understanding the Priesthood and Kingship of Jesus Christ

As we begin November, our hearts are drawn once again to the centrality of Christ — not just as Savior, but as the exalted Lord and eternal High Priest. In a world filled with changing systems, fading powers, and restless hearts, we are reminded through Scripture that there is One who reigns supreme over all creation — Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His Lordship is not distant or detached; it is personal, redemptive, and deeply transformative.

Among the most profound revelations of His divine authority and priestly role is found in Psalm 110:1–4 — a passage that bridges the Old and New Testaments, unveiling the prophetic foundation of Christ’s heavenly ministry.

The Prophetic Foundation: Psalm 110:1–4

“The LORD said to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.’
The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
The LORD has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.’” — Psalm 110:1–4 (NKJV)

Psalm 110 is one of the most frequently quoted passages in the New Testament — referenced 22 times by Jesus and the apostles. It stands as one of the clearest prophetic pictures of the ascension, enthronement, and priesthood of Christ.

Though it is a psalm of David, the language reveals far more than a historical context; it unveils a divine conversation between God the Father (“The LORD”) and God the Son (“my Lord”). Here, David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, records the coronation of the Messiah — a declaration of Christ’s exalted position at the right hand of the Father after His resurrection and ascension.

Christ Enthroned at the Right Hand of God

The phrase “Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool” speaks of authority, triumph, and rest. The right hand of God represents power and honor — a place reserved for divine rule. When Christ ascended into heaven, He was not merely returning home; He was being enthroned as the victorious King who conquered sin, death, and every opposing power.

This heavenly enthronement fulfills the prophecy of Psalm 110. The risen Christ now sits in the place of authority, not as a passive observer, but as an active ruler who is subduing all things under His feet. As Paul affirms in Ephesians 1:20–22:

“He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named…”

The enthroned Christ is not limited to a celestial role — His reign extends into the hearts of believers. When we submit to His lordship, we participate in His victory. Every enemy that once ruled over our lives — sin, fear, condemnation, or bondage — becomes His footstool, defeated by His authority and subdued by His grace.

King and Priest — The Divine Combination

While the first three verses of Psalm 110 focus on Christ’s kingship, verse 4 introduces a new and remarkable dimension of His ministry:

“The LORD has sworn and will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.’”

This is the only place in the Old Testament where kingship and priesthood are combined in one person. In Israel’s history, the two offices were distinct — kings came from the line of Judah, and priests from the line of Levi. But here, David prophesies of a coming figure who would unite both offices in perfect harmony.

This union is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God — our eternal King and High Priest.

The Priesthood According to Melchizedek

To understand this, we must look at Hebrews 5:1–4, which expands on the nature of the priesthood and how Christ fulfills it perfectly.

“For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.” — Hebrews 5:1–4 (NKJV)

In the Old Testament, a high priest was appointed to serve as a mediator between God and the people. His duty was to offer sacrifices to atone for sin — both his own and that of the nation. He represented humanity before a holy God, entering the tabernacle or temple to make intercession on their behalf.

However, this system was imperfect and temporary. Every year, sacrifices had to be repeated. Every priest eventually died. The blood of bulls and goats could only cover sin, not remove it. Humanity’s separation from God remained unresolved — until Christ came.

Jesus did not come as a priest according to Aaron’s order (the Levitical system). He came according to Melchizedek’s order — a priesthood without genealogy, beginning, or end (see Hebrews 7:3).

Melchizedek, first mentioned in Genesis 14, was both king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He blessed Abraham and received tithes from him — centuries before the Law of Moses was given. His name means “King of Righteousness,” and Salem means “peace.” In this way, Melchizedek was a prophetic type of Christ — the true King of Righteousness and Prince of Peace.

Thus, Christ’s priesthood is superior, eternal, and unchanging. He doesn’t stand in the line of human succession or depend on earthly qualifications. His priesthood is established by divine oath — “The LORD has sworn and will not relent.” This makes His ministry secure forever.

Christ — Our Perfect High Priest

Unlike the priests of old, Jesus did not need to offer sacrifices for His own sins, for He was sinless. His offering was Himself — the spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

At the cross, He fulfilled every shadow, every ritual, and every symbol of the Old Covenant. His sacrifice was once and for all, eternally sufficient to cleanse the conscience and reconcile humanity to God.

Hebrews 4:14–16 beautifully captures the heart of His priesthood:

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Here we see that Christ’s priesthood is not distant or ceremonial. It is relational, compassionate, and accessible. He knows our struggles, feels our pain, and intercedes on our behalf with perfect understanding.

The Sympathetic Savior

The beauty of Christ’s priesthood lies not only in His divine authority but also in His human experience. He became fully human, walked in our weakness, and faced every temptation — yet remained without sin.

He understands what it means to be tired, rejected, and misunderstood. He knows the sting of betrayal and the agony of loneliness. Yet through it all, He remained obedient, so that He could become the perfect mediator — the One who truly represents us before God.

This means that no matter how broken or distant we feel, we have a High Priest who understands and invites us into the presence of God. His intercession is constant. His compassion is unchanging. His grace is always available.

Living Under the Priesthood of Christ

Understanding the priesthood of Christ is not a theological exercise — it is the foundation of our freedom and confidence as believers. When we grasp what it means for Jesus to be both Lord and High Priest, we begin to live with assurance and peace.

1. We live in total freedom.
   Because of Christ’s finished work, we are no longer under condemnation. The guilt and shame of sin no longer have authority over us. The blood of Jesus has cleansed us completely. We can live in the joy of righteousness, knowing we are accepted by God.

2. We have direct access to God.
   The veil has been torn. There is no more separation. Through Christ, we can approach the throne of grace with boldness — not because of our performance, but because of His priestly intercession.

3. We walk in victory and authority.
   The same Christ who sits at the right hand of the Father rules in the midst of His enemies. That means His victory is our victory. The believer lives from a place of spiritual authority, empowered by the indwelling Spirit to overcome every challenge.

Christ’s Ongoing Intercession

Even now, in His glorified state, Jesus continues His priestly ministry. Romans 8:34 declares:

“It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.”

His intercession is not a repetition of sacrifice but a continual representation of His finished work. Every time we stumble, He speaks on our behalf. Every time the enemy accuses, His blood answers louder. He is our eternal advocate — the High Priest who never ceases to care for His people.

The Assurance of an Eternal Priesthood

God’s declaration in Psalm 110:4 — “You are a priest forever” — assures us that Christ’s priesthood will never end. Earthly priests lived and died, but Jesus “ever lives to make intercession for us” (Hebrews 7:25).

This means there will never be a moment in eternity when we are without representation before God. The same Christ who saved us continues to sustain us. His priesthood guarantees our security and eternal relationship with the Father.

The Lordship of Christ in Our Lives

The priesthood of Christ is inseparable from His lordship. As King, He rules over all creation. As Priest, He ministers grace and reconciliation. Together, these offices reveal the fullness of His redemptive work.

To confess Jesus as Lord is not merely to acknowledge His power, but to submit our lives to His rule — trusting His wisdom, obeying His word, and resting in His intercession. The more we yield to His lordship, the more we experience the peace and power of His priestly presence.

When we recognize that our High Priest is also our King, worship becomes our natural response. We no longer approach God with fear or striving, but with gratitude and surrender.

Approaching the Throne with Boldness

The writer of Hebrews invites us: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace.” This is not arrogance — it is faith. It is the confidence that comes from knowing our access is secured by Christ’s blood.

In prayer, worship, and daily life, we can come freely before God. We do not need to earn His presence — we already have it through our High Priest. Every time we lift our hands, speak His name, or seek His face, He welcomes us with open arms.

Living in the Reality of His Priesthood

The revelation of Christ’s priesthood changes everything. It transforms our worship, our prayer life, and our daily walk. It reminds us that Christianity is not about striving to reach God — it’s about resting in the One who has already bridged the gap.

Psalm 110 shows us a glorified Christ — enthroned, victorious, and priest forever. Hebrews 5 reveals the heart of that priesthood — compassionate, divine, and eternal. Together, they paint a portrait of a Savior who reigns with authority and ministers with love.

So let us live in the light of His priesthood — walking in freedom, approaching the throne with boldness, and resting in the assurance that our High Priest is forever interceding for us.

Jesus Christ is both Lord and High Priest — our eternal King of Righteousness, our unchanging source of mercy and grace.