1. A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD
(1 Pet 2:5-10; Heb 9:1-12)

Sinful man has no direct access to God; he needs a priest to act as his mediator or go-between. In Old Testament times, the tribe of Levi performed this special mediatorial role. The priests would render holy service daily in the Tabernacle or Temple worship, standing within the Holy Place. But the Holiest Place which had the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat (signifying God's throne and the manifestation of God's glory) was separated from the Holy Place by a thick curtain or veil. Through this veil only the High Priest entered once a year on the Day of Atonement to sprinkle the blood of sin offering, making a special sacrifice for the people's sins. All this was a foreshadowing of the coming of our Lord.

In the fulness of time, Christ came, and as our High Priest fulfilled all the Old Testament priestly sacrificial system. In the dual role as Mediator and Sacrifice, He offered up Himself; by His own blood He entered in once for all into the Holiest Place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified" (Heb 10:14). By His one offering of Himself, Jesus fulfilled and brought to an end the Old Testament priesthood system. By it, He opened the way into the holiest, even God's very presence, for every believer.

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith …” (Heb 10:19-22). By this "new and living way" all believers now have direct access to God as a "royal priesthood" annulling once for all the Levitical priesthood.

Today our Lord continues as our High Priest and Mediator (1 Tim 2:5) at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us.

QUESTION: As a "royal priesthood" what sacrifice should we offer to God?

2. STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS
(1 Pet 2:11-12; Heb 11:8-16)

In my younger days, our Youth Fellowship used to sing a catchy chorus which starts with these words: "This world is not my home, I'm just a-passing through." That was in the 1940s. About the same time, one of the popular "radio hits" blared its message to the youths of the day (and adults too): "Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think!"

God's people are exposed to a flood of worldly suggestions and carnal temptations. To yield to them may have disastrous and irretrievable consequences. Therefore, the Apostle, in affectionate and earnest terms, exhorted them (and us today) thus: "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul” (1 Pet 2:11). We, the people of God, have been called "out of darkness into his marvellous light" (1 Pet 2:9b). We should not return to the darkness again! We have been translated out of the kingdom of the world into God's glorious everlasting kingdom. We are in the world but not of the world. If so, live like it!

To keep separate from the present visible world (the "real world") is not easy, but not impossible! The attraction and lure is always with us, as it was with Abraham. If Abraham had looked at the "present visible world" and been swayed, he “might have had opportunity to have returned" (Heb 11:15) to Ur of the Chaldees which was far better than Canaan in terms of material prosperity. But Abraham "looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb 11:10). So he turned his back on the world and followed the Lord 100 years. He died, triumphant in faith, “…not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off … and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb 11:13).

THOUGHT: "Strangers and pilgrims" are on the way to the Heavenly City. Therefore, they should be occupied with heavenly things.

3. CHRISTIAN DUTIES (1 Pet 2:13-25)

a) As Citizens

In every land there is the civil authority. The Christian's duty is one of submission: loyalty and respect to those in power. Christian citizens should be exemplary in their obedience to just laws and legal penalties. Forms of government differ from country to country. Whether there be kings or dictators, presidents or prime ministers, the powers are ordained of God (Rom 13:1).

"Christian liberty" does not free us from submission to the civil authority. It only frees us from the bondage of sin and
Satan. Our civil duties are a) honour and respect to all men; b) love towards the brotherhood, all Christians being members of one family in Christ, c) fear towards God, and d) honour towards the king or the highest authority under God. Our good conduct may well shut the mouths of some who maliciously make false accusations against us, because of our faith.

b) As Servants

Christian liberty does not free a person from the authority of his unbelieving master. On the contrary, the Apostle said, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward” (1 Pet 2:18). Whether they are kind or cruel, Christian servants should continue to discharge their duties faithfully and honestly, as long as they are under their employ.

What if the Christian servant should suffer unjustly? To labour patiently and faithfully in the face of hardship would gain God's approval and reward. Christ is our example of patience and endurance in the face of unjust affliction. "For even thereunto were ye called" (1 Pet 2:21a), i.e. to suffer. Let us follow in His steps, not in the ways of violent revolution and "Liberation Theology" which is "Marxist wolf in Christian sheepskin."

THOUGHT: When Jesus suffered, He threatened not.

God bless you, dear readers.