Reading: It’s really hard to live like Jesus. It’s hard to go against the grain of the world we live in. It truly is a spiritual sacrifice to love someone that you think deserves to be “told off” or to bless the ones that hurt us. Jesus lived differently than people in the world. He led the way for how we should live as our high priest. We are priests too if we believe. Peter compares our momentary sacrifices, as building a spiritual house as a priesthood of believers.

So, what is a priest? Priests in the Old Testament were obligated to the strictest moral character, and they were expected to dedicate their whole lives to God. Priestly duties, done the right way, required a mind always on God. First, they were set apart from the rest of the community in order to carry out certain duties associated with worship and sacrifices. Secondly, outside of their sacrificial duties, priests also oversaw many other aspects of ancient Israelite life. Priests were closely associated with discerning God’s will as expressed through the “Torah” or first five books of the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 33:10; Jeremiah 18:18), and priests were charged with the responsibility of pronouncing blessings over the people (Numbers 6:22–27) and overseeing matters related to ritual purification (Leviticus 11–16; Numbers 19). Today in a spiritual way, we should assume priestly duty in offering our worship to God in everyday life, discerning God’s will in everyday life, blessing others in everyday life, and living in purification of heart, mind, and soul when we believe and decide to follow Jesus. 

With Christ as the cornerstone, the church will become a strong house for God when each of us become strong in the Lord and accept that priestly responsibility. As one stone stacked on top of one another, believers bond together in the spiritual priesthood of continual sacrifice of “our wants” and “our desires” for God’s will for our lives. 

We are called to love others even when they don’t love us first – that’s what Jesus did! It’s hard to live a life of sacrifice, but with the power of God, he helps us when we fail!

Reflection: What is your idea of a person that is working in the “spiritual priesthood”?

Prayer Prompt: God, you are holy and require good sacrifices when they are offered to you. Everyday, I’m showing you more and more about who I am. I don’t sacrifice as much as I should. Often, I fail in my own righteousness and don’t love people. I’m thankful that you made a sacrifice for where I fail through Jesus Christ. Let me live as a sacrifice to you that is pleasing to you like Jesus was. I want you to say “well done, good and faithful servant” when I see you face-to-face. So, help me to focus my heart, mind, and soul on purity and loving others as we build this house together.