Thanks for coming back for Part 2! First, let's read the focus verse of this series again:
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
1 Peter 2:9
Today we're going to delve into the idea that we are a royal priesthood, an idea that was made into a reality with Jesus' death and resurrection.
So what does it mean to be in a royal priesthood? First, let's hone in on that word royal. When I see that word, I think of a kingdom. Kings and queens also come to mind, along with "royal family" and reigning with power. Guess what? If you're a child of God and have trusted Him to be the Lord of your life, you're part of His royal family. He reigns over you with love and mercy (along with some loving discipline when needed!), but unlike an earthly king who usually has strict and limited opportunities for an audience, you're allowed free access to your Heavenly King and you have His undivided attention. And as Christians we're destined to reign with Him as well, because we have been purchased by the blood of Jesus. As John writes in the book of Revelation: "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign over the earth" (5:10).
So what does it mean to be in a priesthood? Think about the priesthood of the Old Testament. They were all Levites, descended from a special bloodline. According to Exodus 40:15, they were qualified for the priesthood by both their bloodline and an anointing. They had sacred duties within the temple and were in charge of performing sacrifices on behalf of the rest of the people. Just one priest was allowed to enter the holy of holies (the shrouded place where God's presence rested), and only once a year. Priests interceded for the people and served as a "go-between" when others needed atonement for sins they had committed.
According to the book of Hebrews, these priests were replaced by Jesus when He rose from the grave and established a new covenant with His "permanent priesthood" (7:23-25). His death was the ultimate sacrifice that was a once-and-for-all covering for mankind's sin. Through the Holy Spirit, we're allowed constant access to God's presence without a shroud and without the limitations of a singular location like the holy of holies. He was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit and with power (Acts 10:38), and He continuously intercedes for all of God's children (Hebrews 7:25). Much better than a human "go-between," right?
Where is our place in this permanent priesthood? The Bible says we are to fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2), and make Him our ultimate example on how to live and how to walk out our faith. We have also been anointed by God (1 John 2:20), and as His anointed we are called to carry out sacred duties for His kingdom. These sacred duties are the "spiritual sacrifices" mentioned earlier in 1 Peter 2 (verse 5), and can be things like intercession, serving others, leaning on God through hardship, studying His word, seeking intimacy with Him, evangelizing, sharing words of knowledge with others, exercising our spiritual gifts, etc. Basically whatever Jesus did during His stay here on earth. These spiritual sacrifices have been made acceptable to God through His example, and so we are called to do them as well.
In Part 1, we learned that we are chosen. Reading further, we realize that we are chosen to be part of a royal priesthood. Not because of who we are or what family we are born into (much like how a royal family or a bloodline of priests operates), but because of who God is and our willingness to let Him rule first and foremost in our lives. The next time you find yourself struggling with your identity, remember: You are part of a royal priesthood that will last forever. If the identity you're trying to live in doesn't allow for this kind of reality, toss it for your true identity! :o)
Stay tuned for Part 3!
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