BE A PRIEST WHO SERVES GOD AND MAN
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Shalom,
We
often pray to the Lord asking for strength, health, protection, His care and so on. However, do we realize that He is not far from us (transcendent) but close to us
(imminent) and even lives in us? Never doubt His help because His Spirit (God Himself) who dwells in us is greater than the spirit
in the world (1 John 4: 4)! Remember that
we gain strength and might from His Spirit (Zachariah 4: 6).
John
1:14 confirms that God –- the Word —
became man and dwels (=skeno tabernacle) among us. What
an unspeakable joy we have, if He, the Most High and the Omnipresent is with the broken-hearted and humble
(Isaiah 57: 15)!
We
need to know that the ten commanments of love written
in two stone tablets was kept in the Ark of the Covenant placed in the Holy of Holiest of the Tabernacle where God was present in the midst of His
people (Exodus 25: 8, 21).
In addition to the law of love and God’s
presence in the Tabernacle, not only priests
were needed to serve in the court and in the Holy Place but also the High Priest who would enter the Holy of Holiest once in a year in Moses’ era. The priests had to be sanctified first before they
served God (Exodus 29).
We
all know these things from the Bible which is not just a collection of books
containing the philosophies of the Israelites, the apostles’
experiences and many others. Rather, the Bible is
the Word of God that makes man know Him, his fellow men, environments and the events from the beginning of the creation to the end of time.
What is the significance of priestly ordination in the ministry?
Gorifying God
Gorifying God
From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who
is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus
Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler
of the kings of the earth.
To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (NIV)
To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.” (NIV)
Being a priest, we
glorify the Lord by singing, testifying about
our life’s experiences with Him, giving offers to support the ministry and so on. It is mentioned here that the angel of the church (pastor) and the churches in Minor Asia
(seven in total) are priests.
In fact, we who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus have been made priest to God the Father to serve Him.
In fact, we who have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus have been made priest to God the Father to serve Him.
In Moses’ era, the
ordination of the priests had to go through the
process of sacrificing a young bull (sin atonement) and two rams. The first ram was without blemish (total dedication)
and so was the
second (ordination).
All these
animals were slaughtered and then the blood of the bull was sprinkled on the horns of
the altar and poured it out under the altar (Exodus 29:12)
The blood of the first ram was splashed all around on the altar (v. 16) while the blood of the second ram was sprinkled on the earlobes and right fingers and right toes of the High Priest and the priests. Then the remnant of the blood was splashed all around on the altar (v. 20).
The blood of the first ram was splashed all around on the altar (v. 16) while the blood of the second ram was sprinkled on the earlobes and right fingers and right toes of the High Priest and the priests. Then the remnant of the blood was splashed all around on the altar (v. 20).
There
is a significant difference between the sacrifice of Jesus' blood and the
sacrificial blood of animals. It turns out that the
blood of animal was not capable
to take away sins (Hebrews 10: 4). It impacts on our ministry stained with
sins.
In other words, the ministry of the priests in the Old Testament era tended to be physical work done due to regulations. That’s why many priests, including Aaron’s sons, Hophni And Phinehas, they served God but transgressed His commandments resulting in tragic death (Leviticus 10:1-2).
In other words, the ministry of the priests in the Old Testament era tended to be physical work done due to regulations. That’s why many priests, including Aaron’s sons, Hophni And Phinehas, they served God but transgressed His commandments resulting in tragic death (Leviticus 10:1-2).
It is far different
from Jesus, the high Priest according to the rule of
Melchizedek (Hebrews 7: 15-17). His
Blood was not sprinkled onto the robes but it touched the heart. If
our hearts are cleansed, we will do our ministries out of grateful hearts to give Him thanks.
Take note that our visible mininstries are powered from within the
heart.
Today, we no longer keep ourselves busy pulling down and building churches. Instead, we should focus more on the construction of the spiritual house with an eye to the New Jerusalem.
Lasting forever
Today, we no longer keep ourselves busy pulling down and building churches. Instead, we should focus more on the construction of the spiritual house with an eye to the New Jerusalem.
Lasting forever
The word ‘priest’ appears in the Bible
right from
the start (in the Book of Genesis). For example: Pharaoh married Joseph to Asnat, Potipher's son, priest
(idolater) of On (Genesis 41:45); Abram
met the King of Salem, Melizedek, the priest of the Most High God, after
defeating five kings and helping Lot (Genesis 14:18) and so on. The word
'priest' is also found in the Book of Revelation.
The
New Testament writes that Jesus was ordained as the High Priest according to the order of
Melchizedek (Hebrews 7: 14-17). It is worth knowing that Jesus is not Melchizedek but He is God and His
priestly ministry lasts forever.
Implications:
priestly ministry is not a law made by man or religion.
Therefore, do not serve or join in without a
sense of responsibility because ministry is a commitment to God.
Application:
Our service should be dedicated to Him – choir members, musicians, preachers, ushers, translators,
those in charge of sound system and multimedia
etc. - Do not give up the ministry halfway for whatever reason but
serve until He comes again or He calls us home.
How should a priest behave and act?
As the messenger of the Lord of hosts, the lips of a priest should nourish knowledge and not
deviate makeing people slip by
his teaching (Malachi 2: 7-8) because there is deceit on his lips (v.7). It turns out that after
thousands of years, the priests are not getting better but even corrupt making God angry.
Apllication:
We must keep our mouths from deviating from the truth. Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no' because more than this comes from the evil that leads us to punishment (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). Priests should not freely say hurtful words and judge others. Also, God's servants should not preach out of emotion but rather preach a sermon based on the truth of God's Word to build the faith of his congregation.
We must keep our mouths from deviating from the truth. Let your 'yes' be 'yes' and your 'no' be 'no' because more than this comes from the evil that leads us to punishment (Matthew 5:37; James 5:12). Priests should not freely say hurtful words and judge others. Also, God's servants should not preach out of emotion but rather preach a sermon based on the truth of God's Word to build the faith of his congregation.
A priest should know Jesus , the Savior, and come to worship Him
When King Herod called all the
chief priests and scribes to inquire where the Messiah was born, they could
answer correctly – in Bethlehem,
in the land of Judea based on the books of the prophets (Matt
2: 3-6) but they did not come to worship Him.
Convinced and 'guided' by the star, just the Magi from the East came and even offered the best offerings to Him (vv. 9-11).
Convinced and 'guided' by the star, just the Magi from the East came and even offered the best offerings to Him (vv. 9-11).
Lesson: As priests, we should not lose interest in attending church and spiritual
activities held by the church and even in worshipping
God! Ironically, we freely spend
large amounts of money on education, health and parties but we are so stingy when it comes to financial
support for God's ministry.
Doesn’t God bless us to be a blessing to
others? Remember, Jesus had the courgae to sacrifice Himself and
our priestly ministry is marked by His priceless blood! We should be happy since the ministry of the priesthood
in the New Testament penetrates the Holy of
Holies because the veil has been torn apart by Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews
10:20).
As a matter of fact, the word 'priest' appears 853
times throughout the Bible – both in
the
Old and New
Testaments. This shows how serious ministry to God is.
Introspection: How often and diligently do we worship and serve Him? Do we limit the length of our church service and the frequency of our church
attendance?
Serving God and others all life long is not limited to inside church.
How can we serve others and build up
their faith. Instead of intimidating, we rebuke them for their own good, if we
must, in a refined but firm manner as Jesus, the High Priest, did to the priests in Ephesus, Pergamum, Thyatira,
Sardis and Laodicea for
the sake of His love so that they may win and earn their rewards that He has promised.
Application: Let us learn to accept the Word of God which voices comfort, strength and correction so that we can
serve God and others well according to His will.
Let us love the Word of God more than ever in order to perceive His will. That way, our priestly ministry may be pleasing to God and we may be a blessing to others.
Let us not easily slacken in our ministry just because of worldly matters; instead, let us serve and worship Him more and more till the end of our lives. Thus, the name of God will be more glorified. Amen.
Let us love the Word of God more than ever in order to perceive His will. That way, our priestly ministry may be pleasing to God and we may be a blessing to others.
Let us not easily slacken in our ministry just because of worldly matters; instead, let us serve and worship Him more and more till the end of our lives. Thus, the name of God will be more glorified. Amen.
"JADILAH IMAM YANG MELAYANI ALLAH DAN MANUSIA"
Minggu, 30 Juli 2017
Pdt. Paulus Budiono
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