White Collars, Black Robes

June 2006

Having grown up in an orphanage and having worked as a door keeper in a monastery, I am not unfamiliar with priests and priesthood. I still remember the impression I was left with as I transitioned from orphanage to monastery: I am being groomed to become a priest. I was twelve then.

I recollect a few of the functions of the priests I knew: Hearing confessions, celebrating mass and teaching, and the compulsory yearly standing in line with hundreds of other orphans to kiss the Bishop’s ringed finger. Today, I wear no white collar, nor don a black robe, but a priest I am. This is one image of discipleship the Bible insists upon.

If you follow Christ as your Way of life, you too are a priest. The Old Testament anticipates the time when all the people would serve God as a holy and royal priesthood (see Exodus 19:5-6; Isaiah 61:5-6; 1 Peter 2:4-9). In Christ this anticipation has materialized. We are priests not after the order of Aaron or Levi but after the order of Jesus. Our priesthood is inspired by his. What does our priesthood entail? I have five suggestions patterned on Jesus Christ, our High Priest.
1. It entails sacrificial living. The costly way of life is the Christian way of life (See Romans 12:2; 1 Peter 2:5; Psalm 51:16-17). God in Christ set the pattern for this way of life. He does not expect from us what he himself is not willing to do. The father sacrificed his son. The son gave up his divine privileges for the joy of serving the Father and humanity (Philippians 2:6-8). The Priesthood of all Believers is about living sacrificially; living for God and for others. Examine your life in light of this truth.

2. It entails praiseful living. The people receiving the words of Hebrews were dispersed and persecuted (Hebrews 1:1). With this in mind, they were told to offer up an uninterrupted sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15). When the heart is breaking, offering praise is a sacrifice. Jesus faced his suffering and his temptation with worship and praise (Matthew 4:10). The Priesthood of all Believers is about praising God in community in the midst of heartache.
3. It entails a life of generosity and service. “Such sacrifices are pleasing to God,” we are told in Hebrews 13:16. When we see need, do good and share what we have, God is pleased with our sacrifice. The Priesthood of all Believers is about a life of good works and a generous spirit.

4. It entails a life that is telling of God’s mighty acts (1 Peter 2:9). When the people worshiped, the priest stood in their midst to remind them of the mighty acts of God. These acts tell the story of our rescue when darkness and enmity was our way of life. They tell of our night turning to day by the “Light that shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome Him” (John 1:5). The Priesthood of all Believers is about living to tell how God delivers his people.

5. It entails praying on behalf of others (1Timothy 2:1-2). A priest interceded before God on behalf of the people (1 Samuel 2:25). This responsibility is now given to every follower of Christ. The Priesthood of all Believers means praying for others just as Jesus and the Holy Spirit do for each of us. Intercession is a way of life for God and for us!

The emphasis of priesthood is the Bible is not on freedom. Fisher Humphreys states that “the association of priesthood with freedom is understandable, but so far as I can tell it is not found in the Bible” (I have Called You Friends, 156). Some who are hung up on the idea that a Christian is free to interpret Scripture as he or she pleases has the wrong image of biblical priesthood.

Walking with the Master happens when the Christian community in the likeness of the Trinity sacrifices, gives praise, does good works and shares generously all it has, announces the mighty acts of the king, and engages in praying for others. The freedom the Christian enjoys is in Christ, and Christ is the head of the church. For this not white collar or black robe is necessary. We are free in Christ and this freedom affords us the right to live as children of God, not as mavericks.

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