A Royal Priesthood - February 23 Readings: Leviticus 21:1-22:16, Priests Mediate

The Story of the Bible from Creation to the Cross to Eternal Glory

In 72 daily readings, we will examine the overall story of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, seeking to get the big picture of God's work through Jesus Christ in this sinful world.

Today's Reading:  Leviticus 21:1-22:16

Through the Bible Readings: Leviticus 24-25, Mark 3:13–35, Psalm 27:5–14, Proverbs6:30-31 

If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings. 

Context 

Living in an area with a high Catholic population, it is not unusual for me to be called, "Father Miller" or "Father Dave." I tell them that I am a pastor, not a priest. But in reality, I am a priest. The New Testament calls me one; but not just me, you too. All believers are priests, we are a kingdom of priests.

In the Old Testament, there were three kinds of leaders for the people of God. There were kings (or judges before the monarchy) who ruled over Israel. There were prophets who delivered the word of God and called sinful Israel to repentance. And there were priests. They were intercessors - they stood between God and man. They made the sacrifices that atoned for man's sin and they taught God's word.

But OT priests are not NT pastors. Every believer in the NT is a priest. That which was true of the priest is true of every reborn follower of Christ. As we read about priests, do not strictly imagine the role of the preacher (though some principles may apply) but think about the life of every redeemed person.

Devotional: A Royal Priesthood 

You are a priest.

You probably don't think of yourself that way, do you? When I say the word priest, you think of someone in robes with a strange collar, but we are priests. 1 Peter 2:9 describes the church as a "royal priesthood" - a gathering of the children of God ordained to represent him and to mediate between God and man in this world.

Since you are a priest, it is good to remember what the requirements were for a priest in Old Testament days. There were higher standards for priests than for anyone else. Things everyone else could do the priest could not because he was holy to God. Holy. That's a word many don't like and even fewer understand. Holiness isn't about wearing certain clothes or following a long list of rules. It's about belonging to God. That which was holy was set apart from the world to belong to God and God alone.

The priest was holy. He could not live a normal life or be like everyone else because his life belonged to God and was set apart solely for God's glory and God's use. They could not live like everyone else, could not eat and drink like everyone else, could not marry like everyone else. Holiness demands a distinct life, a life lived for God's glory, devoted to God's work.

• It seems harsh, but the priest was not allowed to make himself "unclean" (to violate the ceremonial holiness rules) except for his closest family members, according to Leviticus 21:1-2.
• He was not allowed to tattoo his body or do certain things to his hair, likely for reasons of the appearance of idolatry (21:5)
• According to 21:7-8, there were special rules about who he could marry, rules that went beyond the rules for others in Israel. He was required to marry a virgin. (21:13)
• There were rules about how to wear his hair and about not touching dead bodies. (21:10-11)
• In a rule that seems harsh and unfair to our modern sensibilities, but serves as a picture both of Christ's perfection and our need for holiness, he was required not to deformed in any way. (21:18-21)

As you read chapters 21 and 22, you see a whole host of other rules, rules which seem arcane and strange to us. The symbolism is really the point here. The priest belonged to God and was called to higher standards of life and behavior.

We are holy to God, purchased by the Blood of the Lamb and called to lives devoted to God. "You are not your own," Paul told the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6. "You were bought with a price." We belong to him because of what Jesus did for us. Therefore, in every aspect of our lives, we must live for Christ and for the glory of God.

Being a priest does not free me to "do as I please" as some have strangely said. It does the opposite. It obligates me to live as Christ pleases. It places a higher obligation on me, a burden of holiness. But the holiness of Christ is not just a burden, it is a joy, a privilege to walk in the ways of the Savior, not in the ways of the sinful world.

Thank you, Lord, for not only saving my soul, but also for calling me as a priest to serve you and your kingdom in this world and for calling me to live by the standards of your kingdom. 

Think and Pray:

Do you take your status as a priest seriously, living for God's glory and the interests of the kingdom?