A Kingdom of Priests

In the book of Revelation 1:4-6, John writes:

Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come…To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

I think about these churches in Asia to whom John was writing and the persecution they were facing. And I imagine this beautiful opening of a letter, this majestic language of grace and peace… and God’s sovereignty would give them a sense of hope in a world that I’m sure felt like it was crushing in.

The One who holds all time in his hands, the One who is still at work to heal, to redeem, to restore all of creation, out of great love has poured out his life for them. 

And for us.  

And he has called us. He has made us a kingdom of priests. 

Have you ever thought of yourself as a priest? 

I would guess you probably haven’t! And yet here it is. 1 Peter says the same thing: You are a royal priesthood…

What does that even mean?  What does a priest do?

In ancient Israel, the priestly role was a role privilege. The priests were set apart and they were called to intercede and be a mediator, bridging heaven and earth with their prayers: listening to the pain of the world, and lifting up the needs of the world to God. 

They also were called to tend to the sick and hurting and to mediate peace between people who were at odds with each other – or at odds with God. And they were given a place of privilege serving in the temple, the ancient sanctuary. 

John says Jesus has made us a kingdom of priests. 

Today, I invite you to embrace your priestly calling.

Let us pray:  We thank you, O God, for your calling on our lives. We pray that you would grant us healing, mercy, and grace upon grace. And even as we are being healed and renewed, use us as an instrument of your love in a world desperately in need; through Christ our Lord. Amen.