our priestly duty

The Apostle Peter reminds his readers, aliens and exiles scattered throughout the Roman world, that they have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God to be His royal priesthood, that in those scattered places they might declare the praises of Him Who called them out of darkness into His Wonderful Light (1 Peter 1:1-2, 3:9).  Though they might have joined Paul in describing himself as the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world (1 Corinthians 4:13), both Peter and Paul remind God's People, including us, that we have both a privileged status in the Apple of God's Eye and a key role in His plan for the ages.

Together, we are that royal priesthood who, like Paul, have been given the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God so that others might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:16).  Like priests of the old covenant, together in Christ's New Covenant we are to represent Him well in our character and our actions.  We are to become icons, living representations by Word and Spirit of Who Jesus is so that others might join us in becoming sanctified offerings to God  Like Aaron and his descendants, we are to serve as intermediaries between God and others, appealing to Him in praying for His Mercy to shine upon them.  And this isn't a duty confined to the temple, the gathering places of God's People.  Wherever we go, and especially in places where no temple exists, ​like the far-flung corners of our world, we are to represent Jesus and intercede with Him on behalf of whoever we are with.

As we go through this epoch of political, economic, and environmental struggle, may we never see ourselves as the scum or garbage that others might consider us to be, but rather as that royal priesthood chosen particularly for this time by the foreknowledge of God.  And as we go through this Advent season, with its persistent cry of "Come, Lord Jesus, Come," may we see ourselves often as His answer to those prayers.