By: Curtis Baker
Two of scripture’s favorite ways of describing God’s people are as “kings” and “priests.” There is a long history of this, going all the way back to the Garden of Eden. When God created man and woman he gave them a divine mission. First of all, they were made in God’s image (Gen 1:27) and therefore were to reflect the image of God into the world. This “reflection” was actually twofold in nature. Not only were they to reflect God’s image into the world, they were also to gather up the praise of all of God’s creation and express it back to God. From the beginning mankind had a priestly function. They represented God to the created order, and they gathered up the praise of the created order and presented it back to God. But the other mission that God gave mankind was to be “rulers.” In Genesis 1:28 God tells Adam and Eve to “fill the earth and subdue it.” He goes on to say that they are to “rule over” or “have dominion over” everything in the created order. This is our function as “kings.” It is not an excuse for abuse, of course, but a call to bring God’s wise rule into the creation.
All of this was greatly damaged when Adam and Eve disobeyed in the garden. The serpent had convinced them that they did not need to rely upon God. They could be gods themselves! And from that point on we have seen the dastardly results of what happens when mankind tries to “rule” outside of the wisdom of God. It destroys the created order, rather than blessing it.
Throughout history God has tried to get mankind to recognize its rightful place in the world. When God called Israel out of Egypt and prepared them for the promise land, he told them they would be a “kingdom of priests.” (Exodus 19:6) This means Israel was suppose to do for the world what Adam and Eve were supposed to do. They were to represent God to the nations of the world, and hopefully they would gather up the praise of the nations and present it back to God. Again, because of sin, this was not accomplished.
The Christian call is also an appeal back to our role as kings and priests. This is what Peter is talking about in 1 Peter 2:9 when he says we are a “royal priesthood.” Just as Jesus was both King and High Priest, so too is our call as his people to be kings and priests with him. All of this is meant to anticipate what will be true at the end of time. When God calls the world as we know it to an end and the final judgment is over, those who are found to be his people will “reign with him forever.” (Rev 22:5) That is kingly language. We will not be sitting in heaven with harps on our knees, we will reign with God! It’s true we don’t know exactly what that will look like, but our life as Christians now is meant to prepare us for that future reality.
So let me ask you this week to consider, how are you doing as a King (or Queen) and Priest? Everyone has a little part of existence that they rule over and serve in as a priest. This includes things like your family, your work, and your circle of influence. Are you ruling your domain well? Are you a wise King or Queen on behalf of God? Are you serving as a priest to represent God to others, and others back to God? Seeing life through this lens is helpful in determining if our life is ordered rightly. If you are a Christian, remember who you are! You are a Royal Priest! Live up to that distinguished title!
(Don’t forget to join me for A Message from the Heart radio program Sunday evening at 8:00pm on KJAK 92.7FM, or streaming live at www.kjak.com)
(curtisbaker@hotmail.com)
Write to: P.O. Box 157, Slaton, TX 79364
