1 Peter 2:9-10 – We are Christ’s royal priesthood

Peter pointed out in the last part of verse 8 that those who had rejected Christ and failed to acknowledge Him, were people appointed to doom. But in contrast to them, those of us who have acknowledged Christ’s Lordship are different. Borrowing words from Isaiah 43:20-21 and Exodus 19:6, Peter shows us the true Christians’ identity. Five things are said about us Christians.

We are (1) a chosen race, (2) a royal priesthood, (3) a holy nation – a holy people, (4) a people of God’s own possession, and (5) the recipients of God’s mercy. Peter further points us to the task we are called to do. We are to proclaim God’s goodness and His generous grace and mercy. And it is to this end and purpose that we are called into this family.  

When we think of the priesthood we think of Aaron. He stood before God on behalf of a sinful nation. His role was intermediary – he stood before God and the people, and by implication would know God more intimately than the people. Today we are all called into that role. What a thought! Think of the impact of our role as priests. We are called to have an intimate relationship with God. We are His holy (set apart) and royal (noble) priest. We are to represent God before the people to instruct them about His plan and to guide them to do what pleases God. Meanwhile we are also called so that we can represent the people before God, to present their needs and petitions to Him.  

These awesome truths should encourage us in our faith. In Christ, our identity and our calling in life had changed. We are privileged to know Christ, our Lord. More importantly, we are also called as proclaimers of the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into the kingdom of His marvelous light. By all means, we should enjoy our privilege of knowing God intimately, but we need to remember that we are also called to make Him and His Kingdom known!