In the reading, the Levites are given many special privileges. They only camp around the tabernacle where God made His presence. They only could take the tabernacle down and put it up. They only cared for its furnishings.

In the new covenant, all of God’s people have such special honors. Peter uses two comparisons. First, Christians are like stones built together into the temple of God. As God’s people, we are His dwelling. He no longer lives in a building people made but in the people in whom He shows His glory. What an honor! No wonder Paul asks the Corinthians, in effect, “How dare you take your bodies, which are the temple of God, and use that body for immoral acts?”(1 Corinthians 6:15-20).

Peter’s second comparison gives each Christian the honor of being a priest. We do not come to God through human priests; each of us is a priest of God. Each comes directly into God’s presence, each speaks to God in prayer and song, each offers sacrifices of praise.

Like the Levites, we are deeply honored to be part of God’s temple and priests who serve Him. Let us never take such an honor lightly. Let us serve God faithfully.