1885 Watch Tower - A2Z.org

Jesus, "the Anointed one, did not glorifyhimself to become a High-Priest," buthe has "been declared by God a High-Priestaccording to the order of Melchisedec."(Heb. 5:5,10, Diaglott.)Jehovah honored him by inviting himto that position, and giving him all powerto fill it. In harmony with God's plan,not only has Jesus, his anointed one,been chosen as the Chief or High-Priest,but the "little flock" who follow him insacrifice now are called to be "jointheirs" with him in the same honor. Ifwe suffer with him we shall also beglorified together.Jesus alone is the priest, but when redeemedby his death and associatedwith him in sacrifice now, and in divinepower hereafter, we are counted in withhim, and together with him constitutethe great prophet, priest and kingpromised to bless the groaning creation--the seed of promise.From these considerations it shouldbe plain to all that the real priest is justas truly a king, in whose hand absolutepower is vested. And in looking backto the types or illustrations God hasgiven us, we find just such an illustrationin Melchisedec, who was "a priest uponhis throne." Other illustrations of Christas a priest are given in the Aaronicpriesthood, where the special features ofthe redemptive sacrifice are shadowedforth--its perfection, its completeness,its acceptableness, as also the sharewhich the little flock has with him inthat sacrifice.Christ was not constituted a priestafter the Aaronic order. The Aaronicpriesthood sprung from the tribe of Levi,while "our Lord (according to the flesh)sprung from the tribe of Judah, of whichtribe Moses spake nothing concerningpriesthood"; and the members of hisbody are chiefly chosen from among theGentiles. As a man, Jesus was not a