Living in the Identity of a "Royal Priesthood"

 

“Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”-Exodus 19:5-6

Any industries nowadays understood the vitality of having unique traits compare to their competitors. Take Apple (smartphone brand) and Samsung for example; both companies strive to be as unique as the could possibly achieve through their design and marketing strategies to a point where the consumers can easily distinguish which of which just by looking at the design. Such the emphasis given in order to boost the selling of the devices thus improving the brand reputation.

Now, a person attributed his/her unique identity to the race, the geographical location, and to the philosophy of religion that he/she is born into. In which, quite frankly, to be the case for everyone at least for the initial phase of their life. Our unique character all tied down to the culture that we inherited from our parents and fore-parents. And if they are religious, the religion will be passed down from generation to generation. In other word, no one can truly say that they are born in a clean slate (not tainted or molded through the social norms).

This is the reality to us Christian too. Having inherited the culture of our forefathers, we are now expected to inherit the religious identity along with the rest of catholic brethren around the world -- so we call ourselves, Christian. Unique and yet relatable identity is important in order for us to identify ourselves with the rest of the believers. However, the problem is, how far do we know our identity? Or to what extent our newfound identity with the church influencing our actions and thoughts in this world? These are some of the important questions that we need to ask ourselves.

As usual, before looking at the present, let us all go all the way to the beginning because I firmly believe that by learning from the past, we could get wiser in the future. In the Old Testament, the central theme for the entire canon of Old Testament writings are the promised land, offspring, and blessings (Genesis 1:28). The reference quoted the first instance of when the LORD blessed the first man; Adam, with the promise as well as instruction (much like pre-programmed design) to ‘multiply and subdue the land’.  The idea is for man to be co-ruler in the LORD’s royal court.

Being co-ruler in God’s kingdom was basically man’s original design. What do we mean by that? When the LORD created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27), it was for the purpose of being the image of God (not mini god but much like a prince of a kingdom). It means that just as God created the universe as well as subduing the void (Gen 1:1), mankind was supposed to procreate (increase in number biologically) and to subdue the creations other than his own kind (Gen 1:28). But, the event of the fall took away that fundamental definition of mankind being the image of God. Instead of multiplying to subdue and be co-ruler of other creations on earth, we aspire to be the ruler above the other (mankind versus mankind).

This faulty outcome does not negate or cancel out God’s initial design for mankind, however. Instead, through various figures in the Old Testament, the LORD intended for mankind to acquire back this definitive design. Most prominent through Abraham and his descendants on which they are eventually the people that has been set apart by God for this specific purpose; being the image of God’s royal institution. In the book of Exodus, the LORD echoed this original design to Moses but with the language or imagery that are not foreign to the people; priesthood and holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6). The people has been put under slavery in Egypt long enough for their mental design reflecting the Egyptian culture.

Fast forward, this elaborated scheme to revert the people’s mind to their original design embodied within the Levitical priesthood that were meticulously describe through the laws (Exodus to Deuteronomy). So much so that it becomes the fundamental laws that form their identity as nation; the identity that defined and set them apart form the nations around them. The laws carry much weight that to disobey it is tantamount to disobeying the LORD that has brought them out of slavery (Exodus 20:2). Through that, we would be able to understand why such emphasis on priesthood and the worship of the LORD that revolves around the tabernacle or temple carry such significance. Without it, the people are not a people (1 Peter 2:10) whose existence are not significance.

What does it mean for us this day and time then? Peter; Jesus favorite disciple understood God’s intention to reimpose this original design upon us by which he quoted the word that God spoke to Moses (Exodus 19:5-6) saying, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). What Peter mean by that is that we as Christian should live with the fact that we are created for higher purpose; to reflect God’s image. For we are the only creation that created in His image and were instructed to subdue other creations (land, animal, etc.) For so long we are not following the original design, we will be separated from God and His promise of shared kingship.

But, the good news is, God made sure and He is making sure that His “programming” embedded in every humankind (Isaiah 55:10). However, He do acknowledge that we need visual reference, an example of His perfect design. Hence, He came down from heaven in the person of Jesus Christ; the word made flesh (John 1:1). Jesus Christ is our perfect example, the embodiment of what it means to be human; a royal priest Who serve and co-ruling in the LORD’s royal court (Hebrews 5:7-10). Going by that logic, the only example that we can trust is from God Himself. For no one can model the perfection of God’s design so long as we still living on this broken world.

So, brothers and sisters in Christ, let us declare praises of God’s glory into this dark world by following the ultimate design for us; a design that uniquely reflects the LORD in the eyes of the world. For we are, without a doubt, God’s special possession, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation (1 Peter 2:9-10) set apart by God to be the instrument of peace, hope, love and joy. Blessings!