There are some extraordinary pictures in the Old Testament that take on new life when viewed through the lens of Jesus Christ. One picture is how God chose the Jewish people out of all the people on earth, how He then chose the tribe of Levi to serve as His priests, and then how He chose Aaron from the Levites to be the high priest.
The Jewish people, the Levites, and then Aaron became God’s special possession because He chose them; it’s not that He chose them because they were special. God did this to give us a picture of what He wants to do with all of us.
Although the Levites were chosen as priests, God tells all of Israel—
You will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:6)
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. That the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be His people, His treasured possession. (Deuteronomy 7:6)
When the Apostle Peter is speaking to New Testament Christians, he uses the same type of language. He calls all Christians:
- A holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5)
- A royal priesthood (2:9a)
- A people beloning to God (2:9b)
Christians are ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ that are to carry out their priestly roles while on Earth.
Peter also talks about where Christian priests are to minister. In the Old Testament, the priests had a set location where ministry was done. But Peter says we are living stones built on the Living Stone (2:4). That means that the place of worship today is not brick and mortar, but flesh and blood.
Christian priesthood is mobile, adaptable, empathetic, and responsive to the the needs of the people.
If you are a Christian, here are some good questions to ask yourself:
- Are you living as a priest that is holy to the Lord (Exodus 28:36; 1 Peter 1:15-16)?
- Are you taking the light and mercy of God to others (1 Peter 2:9-10)?
We will be continuing our series about how citizens of Heaven should live on Earth (a series we’ve called Aliens and Strangers) this Sunday. If you don’t have a home church in the Cedar Springs area, please come join us. If you cannot visit us in person, you can watch our Periscope broadcast (just search for user @craigtowens).
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