On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

But he wanted to Justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

And so, we get to the heart of the matter.  Loving your neighbor, truth be told, is no easy task.  The expert in the law here did not want to appear to be a bad guy.  He wanted to Justify his actions.  So…he further pressed Jesus on the matter, “who is my neighbor,”  looking for the escape clause, the justification.

Unfortunately for him,

…a man is justified by faith apart from the law… there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through the same faith.  Romans 3:28, 30

So,

In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’   “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”  The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37 NIV

Now,

When the story of the good Samaritan is told most people focus on the implications of the racial divide at the time and take as the lesson one of equality and love for your common man. , living the golden rule.

But, remember the expert in the law was asking how to achieve life, for he had been trying to live fully alive through self-justification.

Jesus had said to him….do this (vs.27), and you will live [enjoy active, blessed, endless life in the kingdom of God].  Luke 10:28 AMPC

But the expert of the law wanted grounds for self justication.

So to correct Him, Jesus shared a story in which the first two examples, by law and lineage, the Priest and the Levite, should have access, grounds, justification for eternal life.

But, it was not the priest or the Levite, in the story of the good Samaritan, that was performing duties as to the priesthood in righteousness.  It was the Samaritan, one considered by the Jews as vile, unclean and hated as such.

Therefore, He identifies, “the Samaritan traveler as one who performs the law (and so as one whose actions are consistent with an orientation to eternal life).  Jesus nullifi(ed) the worldview that gives rise to such questions as, ‘Who is my neighbor?’ The purity-holiness matrix has been capsized.”. Green 1997,  of. 432.

By associating, the Samaritan, as the one performing the law and therefore being holy and possessing eternal life, Jesus has effectively announced a change in the order of the priesthood!  Jesus has begun and initiated the gathering of His Nation, a nation of priests, a holy priesthood.

For,

If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also.   Hebrews 7:11-12

Therefore,

Jesus was appointed by God as a priest, forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.  In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”  And He says in another place, “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”  During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Son though He was, He learned obedience from what He suffered and once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.  Hebrews 5:1, 4-10 NIV

A priesthood in the order of Melchizedek.  So, who was Melchizedek?

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”  Hebrews 7::1-2

This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. In the one case (the order of Aaron), the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case (the order of Melchizedek), by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, ..Hebrews 7; 6-9

So again,

If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood—and indeed the law given to the people established that priesthood—why was there still need for another priest to come, one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed also. He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests.

And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, One who has become a Priest Not on the Basis of a Regulation as to his ancestry But on the Basis of the Power of an Indestructible Life. For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”  (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.  And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, but he became a priest with an oath when God said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’”  Because of this oath, Jesus has become The Guarantor of a Better Covenant.  Hebrews 7: 11-21

And so, we have an order of priests, the order of Melchizedek, established through our forever priest, our King of Righteousness and Peace, Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God.

NOW… there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office;…. but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.  Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.  Hebrews 7: 23-28 NIV

For, this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance — now that He has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins they committed under the first covenant.      Hebrews 9:15

Yes,

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.  John 14:6 AMPC

I am the Door; anyone who enters in through Me will be saved (will live). He will come in and he will go out [freely] and will find pasture.  John 10:9 AMPC

So come,

Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord. [Ps. 34:8.] Come to Him [then, to that] Living Stone which men tried and threw away, but which is chosen [and] precious in God’s sight. [Ps. 118:22; Isa. 28:16.] [Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. For thus it stands in Scripture: Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen (honored), precious chief Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] shall never be disappointed or put to shame. [Isa. 28:16.] To you then who believe (who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him) is the preciousness; but for those who disbelieve [it is true], The [very] Stone which the builders rejected has become the main Cornerstone, [Ps. 118:22.] And, A Stone that will cause stumbling and a Rock that will give [men] offense; they stumble because they disobey and disbelieve [God’s] Word, as those [who reject Him] were destined (appointed) to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exod. 19:5, 6.]                         1 Peter 2:2-9 AMPC

Praise God for our Guarantee(er ) of a better Covenant!

… from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and has once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood, [Ps. 89:27.] And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it). [Exod. 19:6; Isa. 61:6.] Revelation 1:5-6 AMPC

Behold, Jesus Christ, and Christ only, for

Jesus said to her, I am [Myself] the Resurrection and the Life. Whoever believes in (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on) Me, although he may die, yet he shall live; And whoever continues to live and believes in (has faith in, cleaves to, and relies on) Me shall never [actually] die at all. Do you believe this?  John 11:25-26 AMPC

After that I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse [appeared]! The One Who was riding it is called Faithful (Trustworthy, Loyal, Incorruptible, Steady) and True, and He passes judgment and wages war in righteousness (holiness, justice, and uprightness). [Ezek. 1:1.] His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems); and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand. [Dan. 10:6.] He is dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called is The Word of God. And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses. And on His garment (robe) and on His thigh He has a name (title) inscribed, king of kings and Lord of Lords. [Deut. 10:17; Dan. 2:47.]  Revelation 19:11-14, 16 AMPC

Yes,

The Lord will extend your mighty scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of your enemies!”  Your troops will be willing on your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, your young men will come to you like dew from the morning’s womb.  The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”  Psalms 110:2-4 NIV

Amen