As we enter into 2024, can we engage our minds to what the work of the priest is? Afterall we all claim and affirm John’s declaration of what Christ has made us:

Now to the one who constantly loves us and has loosed us from our sins by his own blood, and to the one who has appointed us as a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and dominion throughout the eternity of eternities! Amen! Revelation 1:5c-6 (TPT)

First consider the pattern of our relation to the Lord our God in His office of High Priest, we can draw from Numbers 3:1-8, which things are further spoken to clearly by Apostle Peter.

1 Peter 2:4-6 outlines my responsibility towards Christ the High Priest, viz—So keep coming to him who is the Living Stone—though he was rejected and discarded by men but chosen by God and is priceless in God’s sight. Come and be his “living stones” who are continually being assembled into a sanctuary for God. For now, you serve as holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices that he readily accepts through Jesus Christ. For it says in Scripture: Look! I lay a cornerstone in Zion, a chosen and priceless stone! And whoever believes in him will certainly not be disappointed. 1 Peter 2:4-6 (TPT)

Here we recognise the demand for your commitment to perpetual and continuing intimacy with Him with the sole objective being a yieldedness to be moulded by Him and fitting you in your place and role ordained for you.

1 Peter 5:2-3 outlines my responsibility towards the congregation, toward an orderly walk before God—Be compassionate shepherds who tenderly care for God’s flock and who feed them well, for you have the responsibility to guide, protect, and oversee. Consider it a joyous pleasure and not merely a religious duty. Lead from the heart under God’s leadership—not as a way to gain finances dishonestly but as a way to eagerly and cheerfully serve. Don’t be controlling tyrants but lead others by your beautiful examples to the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3 (TPT)

The fact that voluntary gifts are in the order of God for shepherds is not to be taken advantage of for personal gain. Consider our chief shepherd in John 10:11 (NLT)—“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep” and the warning in Hebrews 13:10 (MSG)—The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot.

Here’s the charge for 2024 to you and my prayer is that each of us will fully experience the life of a true priest unto the Lord our God. A blessed and joy-filled 2024. Shalom, shalom.

Pastor Afolabi Oladele