Being Priests

Hebrews 5:1-3 For every high priest taken from man is ordained for men in things pertaining to God that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; Who can have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought as for the people so also for himself to offer for sins.

The priest received his ordaining and authority from God Alone, not from men, therefore the empowerment to take care of the duties in this office also came from God. The position was given by God alone and no mere man had the power to tell him otherwise.

Hebrews 5:4-5 - And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not Himself to be made an high priest; but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son, to day have I begotten Thee.

No man has the right to take this honor on himself, one can only be called by God to this position. Christ did not glorify Himself to be a high priest, but God who said to Jesus, You are My Son, today I have begotten You.

Now, let's see where we come into the picture:

John 1:12-13 - But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Again, by the will of God and by their being born of God, He gave them that believe the Power (meaning- legal or official authority, capacity, or right), to become sons of God.

Revelation 1:4-6 - John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from Him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before His throne; 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.

Jesus is the prince of the kings of the earth - as He is the Son of God who is King over heaven and earth and all that is in them. If we are of Christ we are made new, born again, sons of the Most High God, and are made joint heirs of the kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - If any man be in Christ he is a new creature...

We are become kings and priests to God. Kings, because He made us to govern on earth (see Psalm 8:6), and now being born again through Christ, we are able to take our rightful place and govern as He intended for us to do since the foundation of the earth. Priests, because now through Christ, we have access to the Father as did the priests of old which were ordained by God to live and serve in His house to offer sacrifices to God daily and care for the house of God.

We see in Romans 12:1 that we are instructed:

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

The service of the priest is to be an example of dedicating one's life wholly, completely to the Lord, to live in holiness to God, consecrated by and for Him.

As we see here in Romans 12:2,

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The priest's job was to take care of the house of the Lord and the altar that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel (Numbers 18:5). Their inheritance was the Lord God. They relied on what the Lord had appointed to be their daily bread, their portion of land, and more.

(You can read more on this in Numbers chapter 18).

The priest was not to be dissuaded by the manner of thinking among the people or opinions of the nations who lived around them, as this would turn their hearts away from serving the Lord. We also who are born of God, are to be transformed to His likeness in word and in deed, to be a living example of what the good, and perfect will of God is for man.

Jesus taught as much when He said:

Luke 12:24-32 - Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will He clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

The Lord teaches us that He wants His people to take care of the house of God and His altar when He said seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. The Lord will be our inheritance; as He is our Father and knows every one of our needs, He will supply it. Do not follow in the ways of the nations surround us, but follow in the ways of the Lord our God, and do not doubt Him, and do not be of little faith. All these same things that the same Lord told His people, Israel, when He saved them from captivity and brought them into the land He promised to them, He also instructs and teaches us.

1 Timothy 1:9-10 - [God] who hath saved us, ... called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel

Ephesians 4:1 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

Live as Christ did.

The meaning of vocation is: a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action...our occupation to which we are called: to be KINGS AND PRIESTS. It is a calling of humility, being servants of the Lord, yet it is also of the highest honor.

Philippians 3:13-15 - Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.