Kings & Priests

Why we are called a Royal Priesthood?

I have often wondered what the Bible means when it speaks of a Royal Priesthood? In the NT in 1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light.”

What does that all mean? A little exploration soon gave me some clues as to the way God regards us. After all, it is His Word that describes us as priests in our home Revelation 1:5-6 (NKJV) “. . . Jesus Christ, the faithful witness . . . . . has made us kings and priests to His God and Father. . . . Amen.”

Let’s step back in time and see how God defined priests. Deuteronomy 10:8 defines the Levites, as the priestly Tribe of Israel. “At that time the Lord separated the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the covenant of the Lord, to stand before the Lord to minister to Him and to bless in His name, to this day.” God separated the priests so that they could perform these duties.

1 To Carry the Ark of the Covenant – the presence of God – A priest is to carry the presence of the Lord. As priests, we carry the presence of the Lord at all times – that is our first and primary role. Wow – what a privilege – to carry God’s presence everywhere we go. Into shops and offices and homes, in our cars and with our families, every place we find ourselves is the place where we take or carry the presence of God. What an incredible thought!

2 Stand (still) in His presence and minister to God – wow we are to stand in His presence too. Not only do we carry His presence, we also stand in His presence as our duty. When we stand in His presence the most natural thing in the world is to praise and worship Him. But we can also be called to wait on Him, perhaps in silence. To be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10) You could even say that we are still before Him awaiting orders.

3 Bless in His Name Another amazing privilege and another astonishing delegated authority since the day God announced the priesthood is the authority to bless in His Name. To bless in His name, not bless His name. To pronounce blessings for God or to call upon God to Bless. We are not to ask for blessing but to speak blessings – “I bless your finances, or your health, or (whatever), in Jesus name.”

Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.” Speak blessing over people – don’t ask the Lord to do it – you do it. Speak blessings over every area of their lives. The word “bless” is a reminder that we can bless the Body, our Labour, our Emotions, our Social circle, and our Spiritual condition.

We can even bless what God does. Whatever He is doing, bless whatever He is doing in people’s lives. Claim every place your foot falls – bless it and claim it for Jesus – that it may flourish. Bless the community and what God is doing in it – that which I see and that which I don’t see. Bless His presence and the sense of His presence wherever we are, amongst us and around us – in us, in our homes, and in the community.

Imagine God’s presence and blessings wherever you are – His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Wow – space precludes me from going on – but what a privilege to be called kings and priests in our own home. Look at the authority God Himself has given to us.

About time for all of us to be a blessing I’d say.