Read: 1 Peter 2:4-10
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (v. 9)
Scanning the funeral pamphlet for my friend, I was surprised to find my name listed as one of the clergy. I am not an ordained minister! However, before he died, my friend asked me to be one of the speakers. He had asked me because he once heard me speak and told me what I said changed his perspective on God. One of his last requests was for the people gathered for his service to have a chance to hear what he heard.
Writing to believers scattered throughout the ancient world, Peter called these early believers in Jesus a royal priesthood. His audience must have thought this brother of Jesus was out of his mind calling ordinary people priests. They were not descendants of Aaron, who in the Old Testament were the only people allowed to minister in the tabernacle. These priests were mediators between a holy God and sinful humanity. Thanks to Jesus for forgiving our sins, we have the privilege of coming before God without going through any other priest.
It was my honor to speak at my friend’s funeral. Even though not all of us are ordained, we all have the honor of performing the priestly tasks of praying with and caring for others in Jesus’s name.
As you pray, thank God that you have the privilege of ministering to others.
About the Author
Steven Laman
Steven Laman is a writer and public speaker who has lived with cerebral palsy since his birth in 1970. Steven is a prolific devotional writer for Words of Hope, and the author of three books: My Journey God’s Grace, Strength in Weakness and My Grace Is Sufficient. He also volunteers as a teacher’s aide. He lives with his parents in Iowa.
