28 November Deuteronomy 18

Being Part of Jesus’ Holy Priesthood

Deuteronomy 18:1-2 (NIV) “The Levitical priests, indeed, the whole tribe of Levi, are to have no allotment or inheritance with Israel. They shall live on the food offerings presented to the Lord, for that is their inheritance. They shall have no inheritance among their fellow Israelites; the Lord is their inheritance, as he promised them”.

From the time Moses was alive until after Jesus died, God’s priests came from the tribe of Levi. Now, every believer is called to be part of God’s holy group of priests. 1 Peter 2:5 (AMP) “You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ”. This confirmed in 1 Peter 2:9 (AMP) “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light. Now revelation speaks to us as a kingdom of believers: Revelation 1:6 (AMP) “and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], priests to His God and Father, to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen”.

Every believer is called to be a servant of Christ Jesus to people who don’t know God, sharing the message of God as a priest would. This way, those who hear and accept the message can be an offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:16 (AMP) “to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I minister as a priest the gospel of God, in order that my offering of the Gentiles may become acceptable [to Him], sanctified [made holy and set apart for His purpose] by the Holy Spirit”.

As followers of Christ, we are like a royal group of priests meant to share God’s goodness. Each of us, as part of this special group, has the job of offering actions that make God happy and showing others who God is. Being part of this royal priesthood is both an honour and a responsibility.

Charles Spurgeon said "There are no Crown-wearers in heaven who were not Cross-bearers here below. Each one is a priest before God, to offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving." John Stott adds this in his exposition: “Christ is the Priest who has made the one perfect sacrifice of himself for our sins, and he has done it so that we can become a ‘royal priesthood,’ offering spiritual sacrifices to God.”

In conclusion, just as the tribe of Levi was set apart to serve God and had Him as their inheritance, every believer today is invited into a similar relationship with God. As members of Jesus' holy priesthood, we no longer need a specific tribe or earthly inheritance to define our role. Instead, we are each called to serve God fully, with our lives devoted to worship, service, and reflecting His love to the world. Our true inheritance is the Lord Himself, who empowers and guides us. Embracing this privilege, we take responsibility to represent God and live in a way that honours Him.