The Priesthood Then & Now

Exodus 28 and 29 The Priesthood of the Believer

When you go to God in prayer do you see yourself as a holy, sanctified priest to serve the believer’s community? We are to “put on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.” [1Thess 5:8]  Aaron was to be clothed in garments including the breastplate holding the Urim and Thummin over his heart. He was to “bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of decision over his heart when he “went” into the most Holy Place, for a memorial before the Lord continually.” [Ex 28:29] Do we bear the believers in our community over our heart?

Aaron and his sons were “chosen” from the nation to be holy priests to bring the iniquities of the people before God. Because of Christ we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that [we] may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  [1Pet 2:9] Aaron was the conduit to speak to God for the people but now, in Christ, who tore down the veil, we are free to come before the Lord just as Aaron did. Aaron was to seek God’s forgiveness for his sin and the sins of the community. Because of what Jesus’ sacrifice we are now a holy, sanctified people and we can pray for the forgiveness of our own sins. As believers we are to be a holy sanctified people as we come before the Lord for ourselves and others.

May we take this to our heart today as we pray for ourselves and others in the believer’s community.