Words about the WORD - Michael Atmar - MMPC
“A Royal Priesthood”
Have you ever considered how wonderful it is that God calls His people “a royal priesthood”? In one of the most beautiful and powerful passages in all the New Testament about the identity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the apostle Peter writes: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). Let me be quick to point out that the “you” in these verses is plural. Peter is essentially saying “y’all are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” However, this truth has profound implications for each of our lives personally. I wonder, dear reader, if you view yourself as part of the Lord’s “royal priesthood.” I am convinced that we wouldn’t struggle with so many questions about our identity and self-worth if we kept these promises from God’s Word in the forefront of our minds.
Let’s remember some of the roles and responsibilities of the priests in the Old Testament. One of their most essential responsibilities was to present offerings to the Lord. The priests offered these sacrifices daily, both morning and evening (see Exodus 29:38-43). We read in Psalm 116:17 a preview of our priestly calling in Christ: “I will offer to you the sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the Lord.” Are you prioritizing your priestly work of offering to the Lord a sacrifice of thanksgiving and calling on His name each morning and evening? Take this opportunity to pause and thank the Lord for the countless blessings He has given you in Christ.
In addition to their role of presenting offerings to God, the priests had the responsibility of intercession on behalf of the people of God. The priests were to represent the people before God, with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel engraved on precious stones to adorn their clothing (Exodus 28:9-29). They were to remember the people regularly in their prayers to the Lord. Later in the Old Testament, we see Job serving in a priestly role in the way that he prayed for his family: ‘And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, ‘It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.’ Thus Job did continually.” Can you hear this invitation from God’s Word to live into your identity as a “royal priesthood” in the way that you intercede for your children, your grandchildren, your extended family, your church family, and your community? What a high and honorable calling the Lord has given to each one of us!
Let me conclude by directing our attention to our Lord Jesus—the Lamb of God who takes away our sin as well as our Great High Priest who intercedes for us (see John 1:29 and Hebrews 4:14). The writer of Hebrews explains the reason for our hope and confidence to approach God as sinners who have been saved by faith in Jesus Christ: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16). May our souls find rest and comfort in knowing that our Great High Priest intercedes for us. May He empower us by His Spirit to join Him in His priestly work of interceding for others and declaring His praises to all those around us. Amen.
