When God calls a person into ministry, one of the roles is the priestly ministry wherein he or she helps the congregant commune with God. One example of the importance of the priestly role for a minister is crisis care. When a person is in the hospital with a health crisis, the minister may be the only connection to God that person has. We represent Christ is a very significant way through the priestly role. Other aspects of this role are officiating in the “rites of passage” in life: child dedications, baptisms, graduations, weddings, funerals, and the Ordinances or Sacraments of the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Today’s passage from Numbers depicts Moses and Aaron in their respective priestly roles. In the midst of God’s judgment of the people who were terribly disobedient, Moses instructed Aaron to “make atonement” for the people (v. 46). So Aaron did as he was commanded. And the text reports that Aaron “stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped” (Numbers 16:48, NIV).
The priestly duty here is that of mediator. Standing between the people and interceding on their behalf. And in the case of Christ, willingly submitting to death on the cross on behalf of all people. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 states, “5For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time” (NIV). Out of obedience to the call of God, Jesus is our mediator. As we serve in ministry, let us represent Christ and fulfill the priestly call in a humble manner. Grace and peace, Pastor Bob
Post new comment