Judas Priest

(In continuing the list of seven things a church should be from Brethren Hang Loose, this is number three tied for third. Anyway...)

Heavy Metal is not my thing. Certain selections from Steppenwolf were about as close as I ever got to really getting into Heavy Metal. Nevertheless, when a band has a name like Judas Priest it does capture my attention. OK, I'm way behind the times here, but this really has nothing to do with music or a band. It's about the name. Judas Priest. Aren't we all?

Recognize the Priesthood of all Believers

According to 1 Peter 2:9 we are a royal priesthood. Therefore, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ then you are a priest. On the other hand, we tend to feel more like Judas. We all let the Lord down, sometimes almost to the point of betrayal, with our actions, or thoughts, and at times even our words. If I'm occasionally a Judas how can I be a priest? How about this? I am a priest because God's Word says so.

Aaron (Moses' brother) wasn't perfect. He was the guy who made the golden calf. That's a pretty significant lapse there. Yet, to Aaron was given the High Priesthood to be passed down to his descendants. (It was given after that golden calf thing.) Maybe the priesthood doesn't depend on us but is by God's election? You reckon?

If all believers are priests, what does that mean? Here are three things that come along with being a priest. These are things I think should be recognized in the church as belonging to all believers.

1. A priest has special access to God. The priestly family were the ones who were allowed to draw near the Holy place. It was holy because that was where God was. A priest can draw near to God in a way that others cannot. Every believer has that access. (Hebrews 4:16) Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
2. A priest is authorized to offer sacrifices to God. The people could bring sacrifices to God but they needed a priest to actually offer them up. It is a sacred and holy duty to present sacrifices to God. In order to be accepted the sacrifice has to be the right thing offered by the right person. The wicked kings of Israel were generally noted for allowing "just anyone" to serve as priests and offer sacrifices. Every believer has the privilege and duty of offering sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
3. A priest presides over sacraments. A sacrament is a visible expression of an invisible grace. The Old Testament priests could speak absolution to the penitent sinner. Water baptism is a visible expression of the invisible grace of having been "baptized into Christ." Things that have been recognized (by some churches) as official sacraments are: baptism, communion, marriage, healing... you get the idea. The Bible doesn't specifically identify "sacraments" but the concept is a sound one. Sacraments do not have to involve ritual. For many people I believe their worship expression is a sacrament. In other words, their worship releases powerful and positive, though invisible, influences into the lives of those around them. As a believer you have the authority and obligation to release grace to those with whom you come in contact.

That's it. Whether you feel like a Judas or a Priest today is irrelevant. The Bible declares that you are a holy priesthood. You have special access to God, even as a baby believer. In fact, while the older children may be able to interact with the Father on a more nuanced level, it is often easier for the younger ones to get an audience and cut straight to the chase. You are authorized to offer sacrifices that will be accepted to God. You are also authorized to spread grace in the world. You can baptize. (In the New Testament it was usually the one who led the new believer to Christ who did the baptizing.) You can preside over the bread and wine. You can pray for the sick. You can... well, they won't let you marry people without some legal papers but that's more a covenant than a sacrament anyway. In short, you can bring God's grace and power to bear in this world.

As a pastor in a local church I can only say, "Whew! That's a load off."