OUT INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY

Recently Pastor Mike preached from Mark 13. At the beginning of that chapter Jesus’ disciples commented to Him about the magnificent temple complex. He replied that the buildings would be completely demolished—in fact, not one stone would be left on top of another. That happened in A.D. 70 when the Roman army invaded Jerusalem. (I understand it was rumored that gold was hidden in the walls, so the Roman soldiers tore the walls apart, looking for the gold.)

That magnificent complex, which had been erected by King Herod, was the latest in a series of temples beginning with the one that had been built centuries earlier by King Solomon. Solomon’s temple, in turn, replaced the tabernacle erected under the leadership of Moses, following directions given to him by God. One thing I find fascinating about the tabernacle is that, according to Hebrews 8:2-5, it was only a copy of the “true tabernacle” in Heaven. Further, the priests who served in it, and the system of worship in which they served, was an illustration of the current ministry of Jesus, the Great High Priest, now in Heaven.

The thesis of the book of Hebrews is that Jesus’ priesthood is superior to the Old Testament priesthood. Under that priesthood, people came to God through the priests. That priesthood, which was temporary and limited, pointed to the eternal priesthood of Jesus that was to come (and now has!). Jesus’ priesthood now extends to us as believers, and opens the way for us to come to God directly.

According to 1 Cor. 6:19-20, as believers our bodies are “the temple of the Holy Spirit," and 1 Peter 2:5-9 describes us as “living stones” being built into a spiritual house and a “royal priesthood” to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” So rather than a physical temple, we each are “temples” here on earth. And as “believer-priests,” we each can approach God directly through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, in whose priesthood we share by serving God and others. And all this is possible because Jesus “is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.” (Heb. 7:25).

What a privilege—and responsibility—we have as “believer-priests”! May we not take lightly all that God has done for us, and serve Him whole-heartedly, sharing His Good News with others, calling them out of darkness!