Priesthood is a life style that has had honour and respect all the time. A priest is an intermediary between God and people. Christian priesthood is quite different from the priesthood of other religions, as it is Christ-centered. They are partners in the priesthood of Jesus who is the eternal priest. Let us examine the Biblical basis of Christian priesthood. PRIEST: THE SELECT OF GOD AND MADE GODS OWN In the Old Testament, the word priest has been first used to refer to King Melchizedek of Salem. He was priest of God Most High (Gen 14:18). About the priests of Israel, God says, They shall be mine (Num 3:13). The New Testament compares the priesthood of Jesus to that of Melchizedek (Heb 6:20). Each Christian priest shares this priesthood. Through that a priest becomes a select of God and Gods own. What is the specialty of the priesthood of Melchizedek? Melchizedek has been mentioned only twice in the Old Testament (Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110:4) and just once in the New Testament, in the Epistles (Heb 5:6; 7:1-28). The reason for the nobility of Melchizedek is very much obvious from the name itself. It means the king of righteousness and the king of peace (Heb 7:2). His priesthood is eternal, universal, free. We do not see Melchizedek offering sacrifice as part of any ritual. He is considered greater and nobler than those who became priests because of their tribes and traditions, due to his righteousness. He gave greater stress to spiritual content than to mere literal and legal rituals and their observations. The words and deeds, his precepts and practices, were inextricably interwoven and were complementary to each other. Melchizedek reminds us that real priesthood is life and real life is priesthood. Rituals and observations which are irrelevant to life and living are not conducive to the priesthood instituted by God. It is obvious, then, why the priesthood of Jesus is linked to the priesthood of Melchizedek. PRIEST: ONE SET ASIDE TO CARRY OUT DIVINE FUNCTIONS The Levites were marked off by God for serving as priests. The Lord told Moses, Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, so that they may assist him (Num 3:6). The Lord again tells Moses, I hereby accept the Levites from among the Israelites as substitutes for all the firstborn . The Levites shall be mine (Num 3:12). In the beginning, the duties of the Levite priests were mainly of three kinds. First, informing the people of the Divine Plans. Second, explaining and teaching the commandments. Third, carrying out the responsibilities of adoration and sacrificial offerings. When the time of the Kings came, the Prophets started fulfilling the first duty. During the time of the Exile, leaders became the teachers of the Israelites. When the exile period was over, the job of priests was reduced to prayers and the offering of sacrifices. It was in Gods scheme of things that offering of sacrifices should be the symbol of dedication and self sacrifice. But when priests began to concentrate on rituals and external observations, their prayers and sacrifice became unrelated to real life and priesthood was corrupted. Then God reacted using very strong language. In the Book of Malachi we read how God refuses to accept insincere offerings (Mal 1:6-14). ISRAEL A PRIESTLY KINGDOM It is an important concept in the Old Testament that Israel is considered as a priestly kingdom. In the Book of Exodus we read, You shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation (19:6). They see their life as an offering of sacrifice. Since the priest carries a certain amount of divine anointing, the entire people have to see him as part of their life. This reminds us that the function of priesthood is a collective act of the community. It is when this priestly function is carried out by the entire community that the whole world will come to know of the greatness and glory of God. It was the duty of the Israelites to become priests of the Lord by dedicating their lives to him. Since the whole earth belongs to the Lord (Exo 19:5), all are obliged to adore, worship and glorify God. CHRIST - THE ACME OF PRIESTHOOD The Old Testament priesthood finds its acme in Jesus. The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews describes the priesthood of Jesus quite elaborately. In the New Testament we get the big hope that We have a great priest over the house of God (Heb 10:21). The risen Lord sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf. In Heb 7:25, we read: He is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. By saying that the priesthood of Jesus is like that of Melchizedek, it is made obvious that the priesthood of Jesus is based on righteousness and peace. The sacrifice of Jesus is not for a mere fulfillment of the law. By sacrificing his own life, he made priesthood the noblest form of life. Each priest, who partakes in the priesthood of Jesus, is expected to do the same thing. Just like Jesus he too sacrifices his life for the welfare of the people of God. The New Testament priest is one who lets himself die so that he may bear much fruit like a grain of wheat that dies and bears much fruit. A real priest is one who fulfills the Word, Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit (Jn 12:24). CONCLUSION Christian priests are those who make the people experience the priesthood of the eternal priest Jesus, who sacrificed his own life for them. They live faithfully to their vows as they feel they are called upon by God and they are Gods own. The people, at the same time, are expected to see priests as those who have accepted the call of God, to serve them. Let us thank God for giving us priests to show us the light of way. In this Year of Priesthood, let us pray for the priests so that they prosper in their purity.