Today
Power for Today
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV)
THE CEREMONY seems so strange. Animals killed, blood, washing, new clothes, anointing oil. That is what makes a priest. All so ancient and foreign.
We may think we have no priests since Christ has come. But, we have a bunch of them! All believers are God’s priest, chosen by him to bring sacrifices ; praise, service, even our bodies (Hebrews 13:15?16; Romans 12:1). Chosen to proclaim the greatest sacrifice of all, Jesus the lamb for sinners slain.
Do you feel like a priest? You too have been consecrated by the sacrifice of Christ. You have been washed clean by the waters of baptism. You have the new clothes of a new life. You have been anointed by the Holy Spirit of God.
So act like a priest! Share the healing, saving sacrifice of Jesus with all around you this day. Allow God to use you in His great work of redemption. Be reconciled and be reconciling. Confess your sins to your fellow priest s and listen to their confessions. Proclaim forgiveness in the name of Jesus. Place your body, your whole self on the altar of God. And God by His grace will accept our sacrifices as a pleasing aroma.
Holy Father, make us Your holy people. Give us this day Your heart of love to all caught in sin. Make us priests under our Lord Jesus, the great High Priest. Amen.
- GARY HOLLOWAY, Nashville, Tennessee