Hebrews 5: Jesus the High Priest

In continuing to explain Jesus' identity and role, the author of Hebrews describes Jesus as the high priest.
Just as a high priest serves as a bridge between mortals and God, so does Jesus.  Just as a high priest is able to sympathize with us in our weaknesses, so is Jesus able to sympathize with us through His suffering.  Just as a high priest does not grasp or attain the office for himself, so is Jesus appointed by God rather than presume to take the honor and glorify himself.

But how can Jesus be considered a priest if he is not descended from Aaron?  Jesus is of the tribe of Judah (David's tribe) - NOT the tribe of Levi (Aaron's tribe).  A high priest is said in scripture to come only from Aaron's line.

But the Aaronic priesthood is not the only one mentioned in scripture!  There is a more ancient priesthood that predates even the Jewish nation.  In the days of Abraham described in Genesis, there is a mysterious priest/king called Melchizedek.  He is from Salem (i.e. Jerusalem before it was called that) and offered Abraham bread and wine.  Abraham offered him a tenth of everything.

We will hear more about this order of the priesthood of Melchizedek in future chapters of Hebrews.