A Royal Priesthood

This is Episode 54 of The Jesus Society Podcast, and today I want to delve into Israel’s identity and assigned vocation in the world — who they were and who they were to be.

This is important. Most of us Christians have been led to believe that Israel is a people group the Lord has washed his hands of. And that belief has allowed us to kind of wash our hands of Israel’s Scriptures, what we call the Old Testament. And that is terribly unfortunate, because Israel’s story is our story, because Israel’s God is our God.

Paul says in 1 Cor. 15 that Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection are “according to the Scriptures” (meaning Israel’s scriptures — the Old Testament). So the Jewish Scriptures are at the center and soul of the mission of Jesus. So we simply must pay attention to them.

Now, there are two images given to Israel shortly after the Exodus (and later to us as Christians as well!) that carry the heart of their identity and vocation. And those two images are wrapped up in the phrase "royal priesthood."

Join me today as we discuss:

1. What it means to be "God's chosen people" (and what it DOESN'T mean)

2. What it means to be a priest in Scripture (HINT: it's more than just the guy who offers the sacrifices)

3. Priests in the garden of Eden???

4. Who are the "kingdom of priests" today?

5. Living as priests of YHWH in the 21st century

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Thanks for listening!

And remember, you are greatly loved.

Music and audio production by Nathan Longwell Music 

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Resources for Today’s Show:

1. What's the Big Deal with Israel (Episode 4) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jesus-society/id1500065616?i=1000469208230
2. Did God Give Up on Israel (Episode 7) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jesus-society/id1500065616?i=1000470621245
3. Justice in the Kingdom of God (Episode 16) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jesus-society/id1500065616?i=1000477167165 
4. A People of Peace (Episode 17) - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jesus-society/id1500065616?i=1000478009533