Friday 02 May 2014

Background

Peter continues his exhortation to live lives worthy of the callto follow God's ways, known through Jesus Christ. It is a call tobe renewed every day into the priesthood of believers. This was aradical new belief; that there was no longer any need for thepriest to act as mediator between God and humanity. The peoplewould no longer have to approach the priest to offer sacrifices toGod. Instead they had direct access because of Jesus' death andresurrection.

The New Testament insight into the priesthood of all believersis one that has helped shape the Methodist Church, in that both layand ordained have a priestly role in helping each other to grow inknowledge and to support others in their Christian journey.

Jesus has become the cornerstone, the foundation, and the headof the spiritual house that is being built. All this leads Peter toan explosion of affirmation about his readers. Remember that heknows them, and their struggles and persecutions. How wonderful itwould have been to hear these words directly addressing theirsituations. What a shout would have gone up!

"You are a chosen race, a royalpriesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you mayproclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness intohis marvellous light." (v. 9)

There is a purpose in being a holy nation - to let the works ofGod be seen and proclaimed. They were not to keep their faith tothemselves.

To Ponder

• In what ways to do you see yourself as a "living stone",building up others?

• How have you experienced being a member of the 'priesthood ofall believers'?

• What are the works of God you see today?