PRIESTS TO GOD

1 Corinthians 6:18-20

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”.

INSIGHT

-King David was driven by his own fleshly lusts when he saw Bathsheba bathing from his balcony and committed adultery with her. He also ensured that her husband Uriah was placed in-front of the battle field where he was killed. After these events David realized that he had sinned against the Holy Spirit and in his prayer of repentance, he requested God not to take the Holy Spirit from him. From the above scripture, it is clear that when we commit sexual immorality we sin against our bodies and since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, we sin against the Holy Spirit. We are then reminded to be very sensitive of the Holy Spirit and ensure that we do not grieve Him. Despite these shortcomings, David acknowledged the presence of the Holy Spirit in his life. When he was hungry, he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him (Mark 2:25-26). We should realize that we have called to be priests to God and take heed to follow His holy will. When Jesus performed performed His first miracle at the synagogue when he changed water into wine, He instructed the men to fill up six jars with water. These are the jars used in the manner of Jewish purification when the people entered the temple. In the miracle, Jesus demonstrated that in our human weaknesses we are limited and He changed the six (number of man) jars of water into wine, signifying the invitation of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He also demonstrated that He instituted the marriage institution and that the church is His bride adorned for Himself. In Ephesians 5:30-32 we see that, “we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” From the Greek word ekklesia which means the church, is divided into two parts, “ek” which means “out of” and “kaleo”, signifying “to call” thus it means, “to call out of”. We know that Jesus called us out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation and made us one in His own body through His death and resurrection, and when He ascended to heaven, He did not leave us orphaned but left us the Holy Spirit. During such a time that the churches are closed, we should realize that we as Christians are the body of Christ and should get closer to God and flee from all evil lest we grieve the Holy Spirit. 

PRAYER

Revelation 1:5-6

“and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

INSIGHT

-From the beginning we see that God had the intention of making us kings and priests to Himself by giving us dominion over everything that moves on the earth. He commanded us to be fruitful, to multiply, fill the earth and subdue it (Genesis 1:28). We can trace back priesthood from the Old Testament and it remains to be a key function in the body of Christ. Priests were chosen from the tribe of Levi to administer the work of the Lord. The priests were responsible for offering sacrifices to God on behalf of the people, share God’s message and vision with the people, received tithes and offering from the people like Abraham gave a tithe of all to the Melchizedek the priest (Genesis 14:18-20), cared for the house of the Lord and gave to the poor and widows, offered support and encourage the people even during war (Deu 20:1-4). There were also kings who kept the vision going through provision and leadership. In the New Testament we see that Jesus Who is the great High Priest and the fulfillment of the law and the prophets made us priests and kings to God through His death and resurrection. Since we all have access to the Father through prayer, we come to God as priests and He hears us. Through our prayers and intercession for others we are also priests to God for He is our Father. We should not fear to seek God despite our sinful nature but come to His throne of grace with sincerity of hearts and repentance and He will grant us mercy and grace. God is our Father and He hears us despite our religious mindsets that sometimes draw us back in our relationship with Him. Jesus redeemed us to God by His blood out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation, and has made us kings and priests so that we may reign on earth (Revelation 5:9-10). He has made us His children that is why we can call Him Abba Father. We are called to seek God, serve Him always and keep His word for this is His will for us as He is coming soon (Revelation 22:7).

PRAYER

Thank You Abba Father for this beautiful day that You have made, we rejoice and are glad in it. Thank You for the gift of life and the gift of salvation that You continue to administer unto Your people. Only You are holy, only You are our Lord and Savior, be lifted on high in all the heavens and the earth. May Your presence be known by all Your people and may we be delivered from religiosity that destroys our relationships with You. Fill us with Your wisdom so that we may walk in dominion as kings and priests and to rule here on earth as You have called us. God grant us abundant prosperity in the fruit of our womb, the young of our livestock and the crops of our ground in the land You swore to our ancestors to give us. Abba Father open the heavens, the storehouse of Your bounty, send rain on our land in season and bless all the work of our hands according to Your merciful love. We will lend to many nations but borrow from none for You alone are our Lord and Savior. Make us the heads, not the tails and help us to pay attention to Your commands and to carefully follow Your will. Help us to always be at the top and never at the bottom for Your love for us endures forever. Amen

1 Peter 2:9-10

“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 marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

INSIGHT

-We are a royal priesthood not just a priest like the Levite’s. A royal priesthood is both moral and spiritual, for we are living stones built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. We are then called to be imitators of God’s nature and character for we were created in His image and likeness. The Lord commanded the children of Israel saying, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5). We are therefore called to obey God’s commandments and follow Him wholeheartedly for this is His will for us. As a royal priesthood, we are called to holiness for what is holy is uncommon, as our bodies offer sweet smelling aroma to God for we are founded in Christ.

PRAYER

We praise You Jesus for Your love and mercy upon our lives. You have chosen us to be a royal priesthood, accept our spiritual sacrifices that we offer You every day. Purify our minds and hearts dear Jesus with Your precious blood and let us imitate You as You have called each one of us to be holy. Remember merciful Father, all those who are sick and suffering, those who are depressed and face various challenges in life that You heal them and deliver them by Your hand of grace. Be with all those who have been affected by corona virus that You may restore them and grant them Your peace. Remember also those who lack basic needs like food, shelter and clothing for they are more important than the sparrow and the lilies. Protect us Lord and all those who face threats by thieves and robbers who purpose to kill, steal and destroy, that Your hedge of fire may cover each one of us. Grant us Holy Spirit the desire of our hearts and make all our plans succeed according to Your divine purposes. Grant all our requests and help us to seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness Lord. All glory and honor belong to You; Who gives victory to Your anointed. Answers all our prayers dear Jesus from Your heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of Your right hand for we put all our trust in You. All glory, honor, power, praise and salvation, belongs to You Lord, now and forever. Amen

Genesis 14:18-20

“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.”

INSIGHT

-Melchizedek the king of Salem and priest of God Most High brought out bread and wine to demonstrate a picture of Christ’s death and resurrection, and administration of the Holy Eucharist. In the Old Testament, the priest offered a sacrifice periodically for the sins of the people. Jesus then offered Himself once and for all for the sins of the entire mankind. Through this, Jesus instituted the last supper and calls us to participate in His body and blood in remembrance of Him. In Luke 22:19-20 we read that, “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me”. Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you”. This was a command that Jesus gave to His disciples and since we are also His disciples, and kings and priests to Him, we are called to administer the Lord’s supper as often as we can in remembrance of Him. As we take the Holy communion, each one should examine themselves and repent of their sins lest we take judgement upon ourselves (1 Corinthians 11:29). It is proper to also realize that the body and blood of Jesus brings about healing in our lives and offers us eternal life as Christ will raise us up at the last day (John 6:54).

PRAYER

Thank You Jesus for dying on the cross for our sins and resurrecting so that we may have life everlasting. Thank You for giving us the opportunity of taking Your body and blood through the Holy communion that brings about healing and an assurance of eternal life, we trust in You Jesus. Thank You for the promise that You will raise us up at the last day, Your love and mercy endures to all generations. Give us the wisdom to abide in You are in us as we observe the Passover feast. Our Father who at in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen

Hebrews 8:1-2

“Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord erected, and not man.”

INSIGHT

-Christ is our High Priests who mediates between God and man. The law appointed high priests who had human weakness who had to offer a sacrifice for their sins first then for the people, but the word of oath which came after law appointed Christ to be the great High Priest, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners who offered Himself for our sins once and for all, and has become greater than the heavens. Christ is our Mediator of a better covenant Which was established on better promises and makes intercession for us. He is seated a the right hand of God the Father where He is exulted forever.

SUMMARY

Priesthood can be traced back from the Old Testament where the priests were chosen from the tribe of Levi. These were a special people chosen by God to administer sacred duties. Through the new covenant established when Christ died and resurrected for our sins, He made us priest and kings to Himself that we may reign on earth. Jesus said that He will destroy the temple and rebuilt it in three days, this concerning His death and resurrection. Christ rose and gave us the Holy Spirit who dwells in us for our bodies are His temples. If then our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, we should walk in purity and avoid sexual immorality so that our bodies may always be a pleasing sacrifice to Him. This was the picture painted when David took the showbread when Abiathar was the high priest and ate with those who were with him but did not die, for it was only meant for priests. We too have been empowered as priests to God and should serve Him in a worthy manner as He has called us. As His disciples, God has called us to become apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12). He also commissioned us to go into the whole world to spread the gospel. During this time when we are mostly in our homes with our families and churches are closed, we should realize our mandate as priests to God and minister unto our families. As priests, we are called to walk in power through prayer and having communion with God, reading the word, studying the word, meditating on the word day and night, and always think of those things which are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). We are also called to teach the word and participate in the Holy communion as often as possible in remembrance of Christ’s death and resurrection. All these things are possible through the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. As priests to God, we speak to Him directly and He hears us, we can also pray for one another. We are also called to be vessels of transformation and change to the people around us for we are the salt and the light of the world. It is important to remove our religious mindsets that hinder us from getting closer to God and walking in power, for we are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation and His own special people, that we may proclaim the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Jesus gave us authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy and walk in power. Jesus died for all of us and we can live and do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Each one of us has a purpose on earth and we are more that conquerors through Christ who gives us strength.

PRAYER

Abba Father You and the great I AM, You are the great High Priest, You are the Sure Foundation, all glory and honor belongs to You. Thank You for making us the righteousness of God, renew our minds to walk in holiness because You are Holy Lord. Deliver us from our religious mindsets that hinder us from getting closer to You and operating in power for You have called us have dominion on earth as kings and priests. May Your grace reign in our hearts and minds, as You help us to seek You and love You with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Fill us Holy Spirit with Your fruit and gifts and set us apart as Your royal priesthood and holy nation. Remember with mercy Father all those who are suffering with corona virus and other adversities that You may deliver them with Your hand of mercy. Give us wisdom together with our leaders so that we may dwell in Your will and do all things through You Christ who strengthens us. Protect us Jesus with all our families and friends from corona virus and all other evil plans. We are more than conquerors for we are in You Lord, no evil fashioned against us shall prosper and no tongue that pronounces judgement against us shall prevail. Thank You Holy Spirit for dwelling in us, lead us in our families and communities as we perform our priestly duties as You have called us. Thank You for Your mercy and love upon our lives, give us, our families and the whole world the gift of salvation that assures is of eternal life with You. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now, and forevermore. Amen