Anointed as Prophets and Priests

Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth. Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also. (1 John 2:18-23 ESV).

Have you ever been called a prophet, or a priest, or a king or queen? Most people rarely think of themselves that way. The Scripture would differ with that stance. But God does. He lifts us up to live a full life of blessing and purpose. That includes the ministry of grace to others. This is the ministry of the prophet-priest. Jesus Christ, Son of God the Father, was anointed with the Holy Spirit. As the Bible teaches, Jesus is our chief Prophet. This means he fully reveals to us the will of God and how God calls us to live. Jesus is also our perfect High Priest, who gives us access to God and has delivered us through the one sacrifice of his life for us. What’s more, Jesus is our eternal King, who governs us by his Word and Spirit. And we share in his anointing. We are called to believe and trust in Jesus and to honor his name, to serve as living sacrifices of thanks, and to reign with him forever. As the Spirit of God works in our lives, we gradually become like Jesus. Our identity begins to align with his. Our love and obedience to Christ grow as we carry out our calling as prophets, priests, and rulers who serve God. This becomes our identity. Some might say that they aren’t public speakers and can’t do this kind of work. I would remind you that was Moses’ excuse as well. He told God he couldn’t be what God was asking him to be because he had a speech disability. God simply answered saying He’d already thought of that and it was taken care of. He gave Moses the answer long before the calling. Additionally we need to recognize the ministry of grace is not often “preaching” or speaking. It most often is the kindness expressed in acts of mercy and compassion. We have an uncommon opportunity to practice those acts in this day of crisis and anxiety. As you consider all these things during this season of Lent I hope you will focus on Jesus and his sacrifice for us. Build up and plant!