Becoming Like Jesus: Scripture MemorizationSample

A Royal Priesthood

Within the nation of Israel, there were three main positions of leadership that served distinct purposes: the positions of prophet, priest, and king. Prophets were God’s messengers. God would speak to them, and they would speak to the people. Priests were the people’s representatives. They would offer sacrifices to God on behalf of the people. Kings were the governing authority over God’s people. It was their responsibility to lead their people according to the priorities and commands of God.

In the Old Testament, each of these roles was unique, necessary, and special. But they did not overlap each other. A prophet was not a priest, a priest was not a king, and a king was not a prophet. In the New Testament, all of that changes—because Jesus fulfills all three roles perfectly. He is the ultimate messenger, the perfect representative, and the supreme ruler. He has “... all authority in heaven and on earth” (Matthew 28:18).

And guess what? Because of what He has done, we now have a part to play. He has invited us to carry on the work that He started, as messengers, representatives, and leaders in His kingdom.

Today, we’re going to look at what it means for us to live as God’s “royal priesthood.”

Pray ...

Heavenly Father, You are a good and loving King. You have called us and chosen us to be a part of Your kingdom. And I’m so grateful for that. Give me the faith to play my part. Fill me with the courage to follow where You lead. Help me grow in wisdom so I can serve You well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read ...

As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 NIV

Consider ...

Jesus is our great High Priest. As His followers, we are now members of His priesthood. Our job is to serve as representatives offering sacrifices on behalf of God’s people.

The sacrifices we offer today are very different from the sacrifices the priests offered in the Old Testament though. Why is that? Because when Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross, His life was a once-for-all sacrifice that changed everything (Hebrews 10:10,14).

As members of Jesus’ priesthood, we offer God our lives. According to the Apostle Paul, this is our true and proper worship, and it is holy and pleasing to God. In Colossians, he writes, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters …” This is what it means to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God. We do everything as an act of devotion to Him, and we do it all for the good of others.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6 NIV

How often do you think of everyday activities as a way for you to worship God? What would change if you started to see chores around the house, a project at school or work, or even a conversation with a close friend as an offering to God? What things do you have coming up in your day that you can intentionally do for God?

Practice ...

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 NIV

After you write out your verses today, take a couple laps around your bedroom, or backyard, or wherever you are meeting with Jesus. Walk and talk—say the verses out loud. The movement may help your memory.

Listen ...

Start by setting a timer for 5–10 minutes.

Then, create space in your mind and heart to hear from God. Lead into your listening by using those verses from 1 Peter as a prayer:

God, thank You for choosing me to be Yours. Because of Your relentless grace, You have made me a member of Your priesthood, a citizen of Your holy nation, and Your own special possession. Once I was trapped in darkness, but You have called me into Your wonderful light. So I’m going to declare Your praises to anyone and everyone who will listen. Once, I was lost and alone. But now, I am a part of Your family. Once, I was a mess of my own making, but now I am made new by Your mercy. Today, I commit to serving You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next, ask God to speak to you. And then, simply listen.

When you get distracted, come back to Jesus by reading the verses or repeating the prayer above. Say them out loud. Focus on each line and let the truth you are learning redirect your thoughts.