But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light 1 Peter 2:9
You’re probably familiar with the story of the woman caught in adultery recorded in John chapter 8. The religious leadership of the day raided her house, dragged her off and threw her down in front of Jesus. They rightly attested that the law of Moses said she should be stoned to death, and they asked Jesus His opinion. He answered wisely, showing grace while still honoring God’s standards and defused the situation.
He did exactly what the religious people should have done.
The priesthood was established in order to help men and women deal with their sins before a holy God and find the redemption, atonement and forgiveness we all so desperately need.
At some point, however, it became a legion a of scorekeepers and umpires, calling out sins, and keeping track of everyone’s relative proximity to heaven, certain that none were as close as they were. They were God’s right hand men, hauling in sinners so God could judge them. I’m sure they believed they were providing a necessary service.
One of the disciples who witnessed this event later wrote that we as believers form a priesthood. Catch that? We already are priests. The question is, are we the type of priests who point people to Jesus so they find grace and soul-healing, the same grace and soul-healing we found…
Or are we the other type?