在旧约圣经中，神的子民当中设有祭司的职位。像教会的人知道谁是他们的牧者一样，在以色列，神的子民也知道谁是他们的祭司；神指派整个利未支派的人领导以色列民，以祭司身份带领敬拜。
在今天，所有属神的子民都是圣洁的祭司，每一个信徒都享有来到神面前的特权-不是靠当地的某位祭司或靠自己，乃是藉着独一的中保耶稣基督（提摩太前书 2:1-6）。
这是多么大的特权啊！和旧约圣经中的祭司不同，我们不必穿特别的衣物、不用进行复杂的仪式、或不能和我们服侍的人同住；今天，神正在把我们建造成一座奇妙的灵宫。
作祭司包括个人的呼召和整体的呼召，每一个信徒都是祭司，而整体来说我们也一同作祭司。任何信徒群体都必须努力作神圣洁的祭司，使徒保罗呼召我们要成为活祭，我们如此事奉，乃是理所当然的（罗马书 12:1）。
我们或许很想退出和逃避作祭司，然而圣经却呼召我们，要站出来和欣然接受这个任务。在今天，藉着效法耶稣为别人祷告和关心他们，你可以怎样作祭司事奉呢？
天上的父，你已呼召我在地上作祭司，求你帮助我去爱人，成为你和你的国的活祭。奉耶稣祈求，阿们。
彼得前书 2:4-10
4 主乃活石，固然是被人所弃的，却是被神所拣选、所宝贵的。
5 你们来到主面前，也就像活石，被建造成为灵宫，做圣洁的祭司，藉着耶稣基督奉献神所悦纳的灵祭。
6 因为经上说：“看哪，我把所拣选、所宝贵的房角石安放在锡安，信靠他的人必不至于羞愧。”
7 所以，他在你们信的人就为宝贵；在那不信的人有话说：“匠人所弃的石头，已做了房角的头块石头”，
8 又说：“做了绊脚的石头、跌人的磐石。” 他们既不顺从，就在道理上绊跌；他们这样绊跌也是预定的。
9 唯有你们是被拣选的族类，是有君尊的祭司，是圣洁的国度，是属神的子民，要叫你们宣扬那召你们出黑暗、入奇妙光明者的美德。
10 你们从前算不得子民，现在却做了神的子民；从前未曾蒙怜恤，现在却蒙了怜恤。
"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 2:5
In the Old Testament, God’s people had a priesthood. Just as people in a church know who their pastor is, God’s people in Israel knew who their priests were. A whole tribe, the Levites, were set aside to lead Israel as priests and worship leaders.
Today all of God’s people are a holy priesthood. Each believer has the privilege of coming into the presence of God—not through a local priest or on one’s own but through the one Mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:1-6).
What a privilege this is! Unlike the Old Testament priests, we don’t have to wear special garments, go through elaborate ceremonies, or live apart from the people we serve. Today God is building us into a wonderful spiritual house.
Being a priest involves an individual calling and a corporate calling. Each believer is a priest, and together we are all priests. Any body of believers must strive to act as priests who are holy to God. The apostle Paul calls us to be living sacrifices; this is our spiritual act of worship (Romans 12:1).
We may be tempted to step back and shy away from being called a priest. But the Bible calls us to step forward and embrace this role. Following Jesus’ example of praying for and caring for others, how can you serve as a priest today?
Father in heaven, you have called me to be a priest here on earth. Help me to love and be a living sacrifice for you and your kingdom. In Jesus, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
