Embracing Our Role as Priests: Accessing the Divine through Christ

Embracing Our Role as Priests: Accessing the Divine through Christ

April 19

In the spiritual journey of a believer, the transformation from mere followers to acting as priests, as highlighted in the Bible, represents a profound shift in how we interact with God. This concept, deeply rooted in scriptural teachings, finds its essence in both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting our intimate relationship with God.

In the Old Testament, the Temple held the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest containing three symbolic items: the stone tablets of the Law given to Moses (Exodus 25:16), Aaron's staff that budded to symbolize his chosen leadership (Numbers 17:8), and manna, the sustenance provided by God during Israel's wanderings in the wilderness (Exodus 16:33-34). These items not only represented God's provision and authority but also His law and guidance. The Temple itself was a place where only the priests could perform sacred services, with the High Priest alone entering the Holy of Holies (Leviticus 16:2).

The New Testament reveals a transformative moment in this divine narrative. With the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the veil separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn (Matthew 27:51), symbolizing the removal of barriers between God and humanity. Jesus, as our High Priest, facilitates direct access to God, allowing believers to enter into a personal and intimate fellowship with Him (Hebrews 4:14-16).

As believers indwelled by the Holy Spirit, we are described as temples of God (1 Corinthians 3:16). This indwelling transforms us, allowing us to embody the roles once designated for the Temple's physical structure and its priests. We engage with God's word (paralleling the stone tablets), exercise spiritual authority (symbolized by Aaron's staff), and receive daily spiritual nourishment (represented by the manna).

Moreover, in John 2:19-21, Jesus spoke of His body as the temple, indicating a new understanding of connection with God not limited to physical locations but through Himself. He foretold His resurrection, highlighting that the true temple of God would be raised in three days. This statement pointed not only to His physical resurrection but also to the collective body of believers, the church, as the spiritual temple of God.

As part of this divine temple, we are called not just to pass time but to actively participate in the Kingdom of God. This participation involves expanding and maintaining spiritual territory until Christ's return. This active role is supported by the church's fivefold ministry — apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers — designed to equip and empower believers (Ephesians 4:11-12).

We are encouraged to draw near to God, who, in turn, draws near to us (James 4:8). This mutual approach is facilitated through the Word, prayer, worship, and praise. As we engage in these spiritual practices, we grow in understanding and become conduits of heaven on earth. This is not just an individual calling but a collective mission, urging us to see beyond our immediate context and embrace our role in God’s broader plan.

By understanding our identity as modern-day priests, we can fully embrace the access we have to God through Christ. This understanding allows us to boldly enter the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16), engage in intimate fellowship with God, and fulfill our priestly duties within the heart's temple. Through Christ, we not only access the divine but are transformed by it, bringing the essence of the heavenly into our earthly experiences. This journey of faith invites us to explore the depth of our relationship with God and to live out the fullness of our spiritual heritage as priests of the Most High God.