A Royal priesthood

In declaring our allegiance to Jesus Christ as the only King, we are saying "no" to any social system that divides us up into lords and commoners. But note carefully how Jesus brings an end to such inequalities. Jesus does not say there will be no more royals, he says there will be no more commoners. We will all be royals. Psalm 8: You crowned humans with glory and gave them dominion over the work of your hands. Psalm 113: God raises the poor from the dust and gives them a place with princes. 1st Peter: you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood. Christ the King raises us up to reign with him.

Not only are we to refuse to bow to any power that does not model itself on the Prince of Peace and King of Justice, but we are in fact to model those attributes ourselves. We are to be Kings and Queens in the world, Kings and Queens who create beauty and peace, who make justice, and who take on the crown of thorns to journey with those who suffer and who have not yet found their dignity as royal people under the Kingship of Christ. The reign of Christ has begun. We have King who not only lays down his life for us, but who raises us up and enthrones us as his people of royal dignity to share his glory for ever and ever.


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