And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. [1 Peter 2.5]
We just recently read in Hebrews about priesthood. The writer of Hebrews made several statements that Jesus is a priest forever:
And in another passage God said to him, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” [Hebrews 5:6]
There is no record of his father or mother or any of his ancestors—no beginning or end to his life. He remains a priest forever, resembling the Son of God. [Hebrews 7:3]
And the psalmist pointed this out when he prophesied, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” [Hebrews 7:17]
but there was an oath regarding Jesus. For God said to him, “The Lord has taken an oath and will not break his vow: ‘You are a priest forever.’” [Hebrews 7:21]
But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. [Hebrews 7:24]
The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever. [Hebrews 7:28]
Now, today, we are seeing that Peter also wrote about priesthood. Priesthood is important. Peter declared that believers are priests in Christ.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. [1 Peter 2.9]
No doubt, Peter finally "connected the dots" from Jesus telling His disciples, "anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done," and being "in Christ" as Paul taught.
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. [1 Peter 2.21]
No matter what we "think" God has called us to do, we can be sure that what Jesus did is indeed what we are to do. This certainly includes healing the sick and raising the dead, but it also includes taking up our cross. So, let's be perfectly clear about what "taking up our cross" means (based on Jesus' example): it means to lay down our lives and ambitions for the sake of others. It means a total and complete disregard for our own lives and needs so that the lives and needs of others might be our priority (in this way, it means suffering). And it doesn't stop there... It means constantly interceding for others from our position in Christ at the right hand of the Father. That's what a priest does.
As Jesus the Cornerstone is at the right hand of the Father...
As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” [1 Peter 2.6]
...then we are indeed the living stones Peter spoke of, and, are at the right hand of the Father in Christ as well!
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. [1 Peter 2.5]
We are the same "building" as Christ - but He alone is the Cornerstone. Somehow, it seems like we need to understand this much better than we do! Unfortunately, religion will never allow us to do so. We must however endure past religion into an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ. We must know what God's Word says understanding that Jesus is the Living Word of God. We must use every fiber of our being to be in Christ. It must be a conscious decision every day - the decision to take up our cross and follow Him - the decision to be part of the Temple that He is the Cornerstone of - that He invited us by grace to be part of - as priests focused on others in the presence of God.
Father, the implications of what is said here are deep. May we see past the facade of religion so that we might see the spiritual temple You are building us into with Christ. So be it.
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