A holy Priesthood

 

Today’s devotional is about a phrase taken from this verse: “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5) Christians are a spiritual house made up of living stones, yet also a “holy priesthood” that offers spiritual sacrifices to God through Jesus Christ.

In the OT, the priests typified the atoning and intercessory work of the coming Messiah. In those days, people were thought to not have direct access to God and needed others to represent them before Him. This conception vanishes in the light of Christianity. By virtue of their relation to Christ all believers have direct approach to God. This means what was once a priestly privilege now belongs to all Christians. While some religious denominations still stick to having priests that represent them, no believer needs another to intervene between his soul and the Lord. Every person may and must stand for themselves in personal relation with God. Yet we do pray for one another out of love and a desire to encourage and build up our faith.

When I looked for the duties of priests, most of the hits said Christians share common spiritual characteristics with Old Testament priests but those definitions came from denominations with a hierarchy that puts their church leaders in a special authority over others. Some do this to the point of the priest being the only one who can read and interpret Scripture. This is not a NT concept.

The OT priests offered acceptable sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Since Jesus is our acceptable sacrifice, this work is no longer necessary. However, some of the characteristics of OT priests do apply to NT believers. We are chosen by God, cleansed but not by special ceremonies but by the blood of Christ. We are also clothed in robes of righteousness anointed with the oil of the Holy Spirit, and expected to obey God, love His Word, and walk with Him. The OT says of faithful priests:

True instruction was in his mouth, and no wrong was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and he turned many from iniquity. For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 2:6-7)

Those qualifications are paralleled in God’s people, now the only true priests. I’m humbled to think how I was chosen by Him from before the foundation of the world, cleansed by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, clothed with the righteousness of Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit. I’m “to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5).

That offering is my whole life. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1) and to live in such a way that God’s people and those yet to be saved are drawn to God:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

This makes the priesthood of believers a high and holy calling. It is not about a special authority over other Christians nor fancy robes and a title. Pointing others to the glory of God requires the power of the Holy Spirit. I cannot do it without Him.

PRAY: Jesus, You did all that the priesthood exists to do. Being called to be part of this Body of priests who believe in You and do Your will is a privilege far beyond a mere title and job description. No Christian can claim a role as priest over other believers as every Christian belongs to this special class. We all have the privilege of reading and interpreting Your Word, of praying for others, of telling people about You. Thinking of others as Your priests also opens me to learn from everyone and be blessed by everyone. What a joy to share this position. I am thankful for the great honor You bestow on all of us who trust You. May we bring glory to Your name.

For Further Study: Read Leviticus 8 and 9 looking for the qualities Christ gives so that His people can be priests and for the differences that should happen because of this amazing status we have.