1 Peter 2:9 (Part 2)
If you recall, a few months ago I began sharing some ponderings regarding 1 Peter 2:9 – where Peter tells us, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Since there is so much packed into this verse, I have sought to break it up into a series of Ponderings. The last time I pondered this text with you (I pray that these articles are truly pondered by others), I focused on that first phrase, “a chosen race.” In this article, I am going to limit myself to meditating upon the next phrase – “a royal priesthood.”
A royal priesthood…
Where did Peter get this wonderful thought? The last time that phrase was used in the Bible is all the way back in Exodus 19:5-6. Immediately after the Lord rescued Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, God said, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests…” Indeed, “a royal priesthood” is a Greek translation of the Hebrew phrase, “a kingdom of priests.”
Notice that God put a contingency upon this potential “kingdom of priests.” They would be to the Lord, “a kingdom of priests” if they would “indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant” (Exodus 19:5) It did not take Israel long to not obey His voice. They failed immediately.
Peter is declaring that somehow, against all odds, there is a people (those to whom he writes!) who have been able to fulfill the expectations of this promise! But how are we able to “obey” and “keep” His covenant?
In the Old Testament, the only character that explicitly met the criteria of this description was Melchizedek (the name means - King of Righteousness) – he was both the King of Salem (“Salem” means “Peace”) and “Priest of God most high” (Genesis 14:18). The author of Hebrews introduces Jesus as that kind of king. Jesus is the priest in the order of Melchizedek. He is the true Priest of God and the true King of Righteousness (and Peace).
Effectively, Peter’s words invite us to regard ourselves as those in that lineage! Our relationship with Christ, and being “in Christ” allows us to be seen as a “royal priesthood!” This is truly more than I can comprehend. To think that all those who are in this nation are now to be understood as a royal priesthood…(I cannot even complete this thought) – this is shocking.
Do you understand how glorious this description truly is?
Think about this with me. The word translated “royal” is the adjectival form of the noun - “king.” I do realize that you likely understand the English word “royal”, but I want to emphasize what Peter is actually saying. Moreover, lest we get the wrong impression, I want to be sure we see what Peter is not saying. He is not saying that this nation is comprised of “kings.” That is, by definition, impossible. There is but one king for every kingdom. But we are in a kingdom – that is, a people who have a King – and it is that King who has solicited us as HIS priests. We are the King’s priests. His kingdom is made up of a people who are Priests of The Most High God.
In the Old Testament, holiness was something associated with service at the altar (where only priests could serve). The blood that would “blot” and “splatter” upon the priests, specifically those actively involved in the sacrificial ceremony, was the evidence of their holiness. They were the ones “set apart” (the very definition of the word “holy” is “set apart”). We are those priests – the Holy ones unto our king, who have been covered in the blood of the Lamb of God. In His blood - in His death – we are now counted as His ministering priests.
I may be called a “pastor” by some, but you, dear brother and sister, are regarded as “Royal Priests” of the Most High God! I gladly toss my straw-man title “pastor” upon His altar and rejoice to know that I am named among the Royal Priests of Jesus Christ.
And it is glorious to stand with you, as we serve the Living King of kings.
You are holy and covered by His blood. Rest in the assurance that comes from these words from God, through Peter, spoken to those who are part of this Kingdom of priests.
Blessings to my fellow Royal Priests,
tony minell
Since there is so much packed into this verse, I have sought to break it up into a series of Ponderings. The last time I pondered this text with you (I pray that these articles are truly pondered by others), I focused on that first phrase, “a chosen race.” In this article, I am going to limit myself to meditating upon the next phrase – “a royal priesthood.”
A royal priesthood…
Where did Peter get this wonderful thought? The last time that phrase was used in the Bible is all the way back in Exodus 19:5-6. Immediately after the Lord rescued Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, God said, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests…” Indeed, “a royal priesthood” is a Greek translation of the Hebrew phrase, “a kingdom of priests.”
Notice that God put a contingency upon this potential “kingdom of priests.” They would be to the Lord, “a kingdom of priests” if they would “indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant” (Exodus 19:5) It did not take Israel long to not obey His voice. They failed immediately.
Peter is declaring that somehow, against all odds, there is a people (those to whom he writes!) who have been able to fulfill the expectations of this promise! But how are we able to “obey” and “keep” His covenant?
In the Old Testament, the only character that explicitly met the criteria of this description was Melchizedek (the name means - King of Righteousness) – he was both the King of Salem (“Salem” means “Peace”) and “Priest of God most high” (Genesis 14:18). The author of Hebrews introduces Jesus as that kind of king. Jesus is the priest in the order of Melchizedek. He is the true Priest of God and the true King of Righteousness (and Peace).
Effectively, Peter’s words invite us to regard ourselves as those in that lineage! Our relationship with Christ, and being “in Christ” allows us to be seen as a “royal priesthood!” This is truly more than I can comprehend. To think that all those who are in this nation are now to be understood as a royal priesthood…(I cannot even complete this thought) – this is shocking.
Do you understand how glorious this description truly is?
Think about this with me. The word translated “royal” is the adjectival form of the noun - “king.” I do realize that you likely understand the English word “royal”, but I want to emphasize what Peter is actually saying. Moreover, lest we get the wrong impression, I want to be sure we see what Peter is not saying. He is not saying that this nation is comprised of “kings.” That is, by definition, impossible. There is but one king for every kingdom. But we are in a kingdom – that is, a people who have a King – and it is that King who has solicited us as HIS priests. We are the King’s priests. His kingdom is made up of a people who are Priests of The Most High God.
In the Old Testament, holiness was something associated with service at the altar (where only priests could serve). The blood that would “blot” and “splatter” upon the priests, specifically those actively involved in the sacrificial ceremony, was the evidence of their holiness. They were the ones “set apart” (the very definition of the word “holy” is “set apart”). We are those priests – the Holy ones unto our king, who have been covered in the blood of the Lamb of God. In His blood - in His death – we are now counted as His ministering priests.
I may be called a “pastor” by some, but you, dear brother and sister, are regarded as “Royal Priests” of the Most High God! I gladly toss my straw-man title “pastor” upon His altar and rejoice to know that I am named among the Royal Priests of Jesus Christ.
And it is glorious to stand with you, as we serve the Living King of kings.
You are holy and covered by His blood. Rest in the assurance that comes from these words from God, through Peter, spoken to those who are part of this Kingdom of priests.
Blessings to my fellow Royal Priests,
tony minell
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