1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
Priests stand at the interface of heaven and earth, representing creation before God and God to creation.
Genesis 1:26 (ESV) Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion…”
Humans “in the image of God”: Representation and Rule
(Royal Priests)
Genesis 2:15 (ESV) The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Humanity is God’s “royal priests,” who live in and from His presence in order to represent and extend God’s glory and goodness into all of creation.
John 1:14 (ESV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus is the perfect “royal priest,” who is the intersection of heaven and earth, and who represents and extends God’s glory and goodness into all of creation.
John 13:1 (ESV) Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. During supper…
Luke 22:19-23 (ESV) And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. But behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. For the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it could be who was going to do this.
John 13:2-3 (ESV) During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,
Luke 22:24-27 (ESV) A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves.
John 13:3-5 (ESV) Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
The glory of God’s rule is revealed in sacrificial service.
John 13:12-17 (ESV) When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.
Our sacrificial service extends the glory of God’s rule.
John 13:34-35 (ESV) “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just a
s I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Royal Priests of Jesus reveal His glory and exercise His rule through sacrificial service.