Theme: THE CHURCH
Lesson: THE CHURCH, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
Scripture Reference: 1Pet.2:9.
The adjective used for, modifying the noun ‘priesthood’, has to do or relate to the status of a king or queen or a member of their family. Therefore, the noun ‘priesthood’ is the type that functions in the court of a king or queen.
Priests are persons who are authorized to administer certain sacraments having been ordained to the priesthood. In our lead text above, Apostle Peter is addressing his Christian audience as God’s chosen race, the King’s priests as well as a holy nation.
Before now, God ordained priests for His service from the Aaronic tribe of Levi – a closed priesthood. (See Heb. 7:11) If the Church is a nation as Peter posits in his inspired writing, then, there should be a king over it who should have priests or chaplains in his private chapel or regiment.
In God’s arrangement shown in His old plan of worship, the one high priest and other priests serving with him had to migrate from the tribe of Levi. (ibid) So, before we ever talk of anybody serving under Him through the current High Priest (Jesus, Christ – Heb. 3:1), let us ask, “is Jesus from the tribe of Judah qualified to be High Priest?” “Under which law or order is that permissible?”
Actually, God had changed His first will (Testament, Covenant) that had limited the priesthood to the tribe of Levi in order to permit Jesus from the tribe of Judah (David) to emerge an eternal High Priest as recorded in ‘Heb. 7:12-14’. It is now knowledgeable, therefore, to say that, according to the Scripture, the new Covenant has permitted Jesus, Christ to lead all other priests to offer sacrifices to God, God having changed the old order.
As the new order permitted Jesus as High Priest, not emerging from the tribe of Levi, even so, we are permitted from every tribe, language, nation and race to both serve our God and reign on earth. (See Rev. 5:9,10 – NIV) No wonder, the veil of the shadow temple fell on its own immediately after Jesus died on a tree! (cf. Matt. 27:50,51) It served to show that anyone who believes in Christ will go to God and offer acceptable sacrifices without necessarily consulting with anybody. It was not so from the beginning. Before Christ’s regime, anyone chosen by God can be a prophet even without believing in God. Maybe, like Jeremiah, one can be selected a prophet even before he was born. On the contrary now, nobody can speak for God without believing, first of all, to receive the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Christ) – consider ‘Rom. 8:9’ & ‘Acts 5:32; 10:38’. Furthermore, when God authorized the priests to offer sacrifices as stipulated in the Levitical order, He was not perfunctory or without an aim: He sought to show mercy to the poor and needy because all were not burnt offerings – cf. Matt. 12:6,7.
In conclusion, God has made us, believers in Christ, a Kingdom and Priesthood to serve to meet the needs of fellow persons. We know God cannot be hungry, lack clothes and shelter unless humans He made in His likeness lack them. Beloved, is your priesthood with Jesus radiating mercy in all your sacrifices these many years as a Christian? Can you beat your chest and say, “after all, I am not a waste in God’s world; if Jesus were here where I am, it would make no difference in the way His life would benefit His neighbourhood?
Conclusion
As royal priests, we’ve been called to radiate God’s mercy and love, serving others as Jesus did. Let’s embody His heart, serving the poor, the needy, and our communities.
EVALUATION
1. When God stipulated varieties of sacrifices in the old order, what was His aim according to ‘Matt. 12:6,7’?
2. God can choose anybody today like Jeremiah of old even though he does not believe in the Gospel of Christ as His priest and prophet. (True or False) Why?
3. If the rich of this world give gifts to fellow rich ones does not portray mercy because mercy is shown to the needy. (True or False) Why?
4. According to ‘Prov. 19:17’ and ‘Matt. 25:31-40’, if we ignore the poor because they will not make a return giving and give to the rich, it is not God that we seek to reward us but men. (True or False) Why?
5. According to ‘Rev. 5:9,10’, all Christians are priests. (True or False) Why?
Benediction
May the Lord bless us and empower us to fulfill our royal priesthood, shining His light and love to a world in need. May our sacrifices reflect Jesus’ mercy and compassion, bringing glory to God and hope to all. Amen. 🙏
Evaluation Questions’ Answers:
1. According to Matt. 12:6,7, God’s aim was to show mercy to the poor and needy, not just focus on sacrifices.
2. False. Today, God chooses those who believe in Christ and receive the Holy Spirit to serve as priests and prophets (Rom. 8:9, Acts 5:32).
3. True. Mercy is shown to the needy, not just giving to those who can return favors.
4. True. When we prioritize giving to the rich or influential, we’re seeking human recognition, not God’s reward (Matt. 25:31-40, Prov. 19:17).
5. True. According to Rev. 5:9,10, all Christians are part of a royal priesthood, redeemed from every tribe and nation to serve God and reign with Him.
VIA:
Michael Ekperikpe (MSN)
CEO, Read and Reap Bible Enterprises.
