Why is there a need for a new kind of priest? Since Jesus fulfilled all the requirements of the Levitical priesthood once and for all, do we really need a priest at all? The Levitical priesthood and the law of Moses could not make anyone prefect - they were only a picture of what the true sacrifice would accomplish for us. It all pointed to what Jesus would accomplish on the Cross. Jesus did fulfill all that the OT priesthood pictured, once and for all. But, we still need a Great High Priest - not to keep making sacrifices for sin, but to apply all its benefits to our life here and on an ongoing basis. The work of redemption was accomplished on the cross once and for all. A priest after the order of Melchizedek, is an eternal priesthood - an ever present help for us here and now. The ministry of the cross was a one time and final act of saving already accomplished. The ministry of the High Priest, is an ongoing present ministry of all the blessings and benefits made possible by His death.
