They acted as a bridge between God and the people. They would guide people through the sacrifice of their animals, they would perform the appropriate rituals - without the priests the whole sacrificial system would grind to a halt.
In the New Testament 1 Peter 2:5, 9 makes it clear that all followers of Jesus are now priests. And this ties in well with what we have already seen, in the way that the Tabernacle, the Offerings and now the Priests are all fulfilled in Jesus and then fulfilled in the church (see chart below).
So as priests, Jesus' followers are called to be those who bridge the gap between God and the world. We make God known to the world as we share what God is doing in our lives with those we live and work with. As we share in the world we become aware of its hurt and pain and we share in this and turn this into prayer. Often we are then the answer to our prayers as God sends us into the world as an offering, to serve the world.
To better understand our role as 'church' we need to think in terms of Tabernacle, offering and priesthood.
|
What
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Significance
|
Fulfilled by Jesus (?)
|
Fulfilled in the Church (?)
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So what?
|
|
Tabernacle
|
The place where God dwelt with his people
|
Yes – God dwelt with his people in Jesus
|
Yes – God now dwells in his people
|
People should see God in us
|
|
Offerings &
Sacrifices |
Sin and Guilt offering for atonement
Other offerings – free will thank/worship |
Jesus' death brings atonement.
Fulfilled all offerings |
We are to offer our lives as living sacrifices
|
Am I offering all I have to God?
|
|
High Priest
|
Bridge between God and the people.
Offered Sacrifices |
Offered perfect sacrifice, once and for all, doing
away with sin once and for all.
He is in heaven interceding on our behalf |
-
|
Because sin is dealt with we are able to come into
the presence of God with confidence
(Heb. 10:19) |
|
Priests
|
As above
|
-
|
Standing in the gap. Making God known to the world
and praying for the world
|
Making disciples. Acts of service.
Prayer. |
