Me? a Priest? Incredible!

 

READ Hebrews 5–8

Today, a priest is defined in many ways. However, in the Bible the main definition is that priests served as intermediaries between the people and God. In the OT, they were advisors and leaders of the nation, but mainly defined by their intercessory role. In other words, priests acted as representatives of God to the people, and representatives of people to God. In the OT, they performed sacrifices, maintained the holy sites and implements, and provided counsel and instruction. Their instruction was for holy living that fulfilled God’s will for His people.

Israel was to be an exemplary nation for the world. The OT tells how some of them were formally recognized as priests. Their intercession was ritualized and structured rather than charismatic or spontaneous as it can be today in the Christian church.

When Jesus lived on earth, He served as a priest, not because He was descended from that formal tribe previously recognized but because this roll was assigned to Him by God the Father.

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7–10)

Melchizedek did priestly work but his lineage was not known, setting a precedent for Jesus who interceded for all mankind without the physical lineage normally required. He died for sin and lives to pray for and with God’s people through the Spirit:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27)

Jesus also did a marvelous thing by making all who believe in Him priests of God:

Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever . . . . and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 1:5–10)

How could such a thing happen? The NT describes it this way:

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:14–18)

By being like us and suffering temptation and all that we suffer, yet being sinless and not needing any sacrifice for His sin, He could identify with our weaknesses and yet bring our needs to God as our Priest, our intercessor.

In the OT, there was a relationship between royalty and the priesthood in that without the support of the priests, the king lost the divine right to rule, and without the support of the king, the priests had no power to enforce its authority. This is true for us who have been made priests of God. Jesus has chosen us to be His intercessors on earth, sharing His truth that others might come to Him. However, we need Jesus to fulfill this role. Unless we rely on His direction and empowerment as our King, we cannot intercede for others — either in prayer to God or in sharing His truth with others. Our King must be in charge for us to be effective as His priests.

God speaks to me constantly about my role as intercessor. The praying part is hard work at times. Speaking to others is also challenging. However, with Jesus both parts of intercession are an incredible honor as well as an extraordinary privilege. Being an effective priest can change lives and eternal destinies. Nothing could be more tragic than choosing to be prayerless and saying nothing.