Apostle Peter, in his letter, call every believers (including us) a "Royal Priesthood." Surely we often hear or read about this term. The question is, what is the meaning of "royal priesthood? Why are we called like that? What kind of position is that?
In order to answer those questions, let us see the original words used by Apostle Peter. The term "Royal Priesthood" is translated from greek words: βασίλειος ἱεράτευμα (basileios hierateuma). Hierateuma means "fraternity/brotherhood of priests," while basileios means royal. Therefore, "Royal Priesthood" means fraternity of priests that belongs to Kingdom of God.
This meaning is in accordance with what God said to the people of Israel in the Book of Exodus. Exodus chapter 19 tells us about how God transform the descendant of Abraham – that is Israel – into a Nation/Kingdom of Israel. Exodus 19:5-6 is God's statement for the new Israel Nation.
"Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." Exo 19:5-6
In this declaration, God make it clear that His intention is to build Israel into one of a kind kingdom that is a kingdom of holy priest.
Unfortunately, Kingdom of Israel failed to do the duty of priesthood. When Juses came, He offers His own life to be atonement for sins. And so, Jesus build a new Kingdom of Israel. The new kingdom is not based on physical ancestry line of Abraham. Beside, It is based on spiritual ancestry line through faith. Galatian 3:7 said: Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
Therefore, we who believe in Jesus and His work of salvation on the cross had become part of Spiritual Kingdom of Israel. God rebuild His plan for Israel in us. The Book of Revelation also tells us about this.
"And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." Rev 1:5-6
"And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." Rev 5:9-10
So, what Apostle Peter said is true. We are the royal priests of the Kingdom of God. We have authority/power in prayer.
As a priest before The Most High, we must live our life accordingly. We must do our duty as a priest wholeheartedly so our priesthood will function properly and bear fruits. How did we do that? The key is in our heart which had been transformed by Holy Spirit.
The Bible provide plenty of examples for us. Let us see three people whi have a heart of priest.
1. Moses
· When the newly formed Nation of Israel committed a sin by making and worshiping golden calf, Moses asked God for forgiveness. Lets take a look on what he said to God wholeheartedly:
· "Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written." (Exo 32:32)
2. Apostle Paul
· Apostle Paul was saddened by the fact that his own people – the Israelite – rejected Jesus. They didn't receive Jesus as their Messiah. In his letter to the believers in Rome, Apostle Paul said:
· "For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:" (Rom 9:3)
Lets examine the similarity of the two wishes from these two men of God. Their desire for salvation toward their people were so strong. They really loved their nation, their brothers and sisters, their neighbor. Their desire came with willingness to sacrifice their own salvation for the sake of their people. If it was possible, they boldly had said that they are willing to be separated from God, to be accursed, so that their brothers and sisters can have salvation. This is the true heart of priest.
Now, let us take a look at the greatest priest ever.
3. Lord Jesus
· Just like Moses and Apostle Paul, Lord Jesus was willing to offer his life for the atonement of our sins. He was willing to bear our transgressions and to be accursed. He was willing to put down His Godly nature and glory, to be separated from God the Father, and even to descend to the realm of death (Mat 27:6)
· Mosses and Apostle Paul wished to sacrifice their own life, but they can not do that. Lord Jesus – not just willing to – really did the sacrifice (Phil 2:5-8).
This is the true form of priesthood: to have a heart full of compassion and willingness to sacrifice his life so others can be saved. In John 10:11 Lord Jesus described it as a heart of a good shepherd who sacrifice his life to save his sheeps.
All of us who believe in Jesus, according to God's word, are priests. Lets examine our own heart. Do we have heart full of compassion toward the unsaved? Do we care about people living in sin and curse, tied by the power of this corrupt world? Are we willing to sacrifice our life for others? We maybe will not need to die for them, but will we sacrifice our time to pray and to fast for them? Will we take courage to tell them about God's love? Will we spend our money and energy to help others? Are we willing to put aside our anger and give forgiveness to whoever sin against us and receive them with love from pure heart so that they can feel thr true love of Jesus?
When we sincerely take our responsibility as royal priest of God's Kingdom, the power of the Kingdom will support us. Even though what we do seems small, the power of The Most High will bring great impact.
That's how we became a "royal priesthood." Have a heart of priest, a heart of shepherd!
