Our Scripture meditation is based on 1 Peter 2:9-10, part of next week’s Epistle Reading, the Fifth Sunday of Easter.
[9] But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [10] Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
I’m wondering whether there is a parallel between Adam and Eve and our being God’s Royal Priesthood.
God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to “work it and keep it.” This work gave them the opportunity to demonstrate their respect and gratitude to God.
When we were brought to faith in Christ, God made us a “royal priesthood.” I confess I am greatly influenced by the Reformer Martin Luther when it comes to understanding the Royal Priesthood. As the Royal Priesthood, our service parallels the Old Testament priests of Israel:
- As the priests interceded before God for God’s people, so we intercede to God on behalf fellow believers.
- As the priests interceded with God for those who couldn’t come into the Temple, so we intercede for our neighbors who are spiritually lost.
- As the priests cared for God’s temple, so also today we care for congregational facilities.
Given these roles of prayer and service, we can see the parallel with Adam and Eve. As Adam and Eve demonstrated respect and gratitude to God in the Garden of Eden, so we show gratitude and respect to God through our service as the Royal Priesthood.
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
Kevin Wilson 360 