March 26, 2003
Reading: 2 Chron 29:1-11

 

“My sons, do not be negligent now” (11)

 

One of the great privileges awarded to us as the Redeemed of Christ is our appointment as “priests to our God” (Rev 5:10). Peter tells us we members of a “holy priesthood,” and as such are to “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet 2:5). What, we may ask, is our role as priests? The words of Hezekiah to the priests in our reading give an insight as to our function in this wonderful capacity. Hezekiah states four responsibilities of priests, responsibilities that will not only be acceptable to God, but will, in return, bring great blessings to us:

1.      To “stand before Him,” to “stand in His presence” (Amplified Bible)

2.      To “serve Him”

3.      To “minister to Him”

4.      To “burn incense” to Him.

It is important to note that priests were to stand in the presence of God before entering into the activities of serving, ministering and burning incense. If we do not know how to enter His presence and stand before Him, then all of our activities on His behalf are just that – activities. One of our flaws as priests to God is “busyness,” – we are too busy serving without first standing in His presence. The High Priest alone was privileged to enter the Holy of Holies and stand in God’s presence, and then just once a year. We as priests to God, because we are one in Christ, are bidden to enter His presence, to “draw near to God” (James 4:8). Jesus Christ has brought a “better hope, through which we draw near to God” (Heb 7:19).

It is as we stand in His presence that we are sent out to serve Him (John 20:21). When He sends us to serve, He equips us with the presence, anointing and power of the Holy Spirit (John 20:22-23). How much service done in the name of Christianity lacks the power and blessing of God?

Another important function of the priest is to “minister” to God. This is different from serving. Serving is a horizontal function – we represent Jesus Christ to our fellow humans, both to the saved and the unsaved. When we “minister” to God, we function in a vertical manner. We are called upon to worship Him, to “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). When the Children of Israel were returned to Judah following their captivity, God gave specific instructions to the priests, they were to “minister unto Me” (Ezek 44:11). Specifically, they were to “come near to my table, to minister unto me” (12). The only table of importance to the Christian is the “Lord’s Table” (1 Cor:10:21). The celebration of the Lord’s Supper is, above everything else, an act of ministering to God. It is a time of worship, of thanking Him for Who He is and for His Redeeming work on the cross. True worship ministers to the heart of God. So often, the Lord’s Supper is more like a funeral dirge than an occasion of worship and thanksgiving. The sanctity of this occasion prevents levity and lighthearted expression, but true worship is sincere, joyous, and ministers to God.

The priests were also called upon to “burn incense” to Him. The Bible clearly shows us that incense is the prayers of the saints (Rev 5:8; 8:4). When the Believer prays he stands in the Lord’s presence, serves others, and ministers to God. God will enrich our hearts as we serve Him as priests – a calling of high honor, privilege, and joy.