Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Priests: Called for the Divine Ministry.
“ Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests”(V.1)
The Priests were the mediators between God and the nation Israel. They represented the people to God by offering sacrifices, by leading worship and praying for divine guidance. They also represented God to the people, for the priests instructed Israel in God’s law, were channels through which God communicated His will.
The Holy garments not only distinguished the priests from people but showed the glory of the divine majesty and the mark of the minister without which the ministration and person will be had in contempt. Today each Christian is a priest with direct access to God. But priesthood is a special call for divine ministry.
(1). Priestly ministry is not the designation of the community but a call and a ministry which comes from the Lord Himself (v.1). Priesthood is not a personal possession or a privilege in human sense. Priesthood is a call to ministry to be a minister of Jesus Christ.
(2). The Priest is the one who inspires others (v4). Service was part of the outfit. The Priest by definition is a servant. The priest is a channel to lift up others from lowly conditions, to inspire the people to higher aspirations, to provoke people to noble virtues and raise the consciousness of humankind. A Priest should feel the suffering of others and elevate them by encouraging them to find the way out of it. The Priest exhorts others to “ lift up your eyes unto the heavens and behold the glory of God”.
(3). Priest is to be a cause of encouraging and stimulating holiness in the heart of others (v 38). He does so in 3 ways, by fulfilling the role of public ministry, by teaching the word of God and by the example of his life. His whole mission is to make sure the people are accepted before the Lord.”
Prayer: Dear Lord, help we the Ministers in Thy church, to be faithful stewards in your Vineyard……..Amen
Thought for the day: Priest is a bridge builder.

Rev.Saji Thomas, Sehion MTC, Texas

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