Apr. 5: Jesus the Priest

On the cross we find Jesus the Priest:
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals--one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. " Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:32-34, 39-43)

When Jesus was born the Magi brought three gifts: gold, which represented Jesus’ kingship; frankincense, representing his role as Priest, and myrrh, a perfume used in burial.

From the beginning of His life on earth Jesus was recognized as a priest, a bridge-builder, one who “stands in the gap” between God and mankind. On the cross it’s as though He took God with one hand and humanity in the other and reconciled the two together—Jesus did for you what you cannot do for yourself.

The Apostle Paul underscored Jesus' priestly role:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19)

The Apostle Peter, likewise, saw not only Jesus' but also His followers' role as priests:
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10)

~ Father, I want what Jesus did to count for me. Thank you for not giving me what my deeds deserve. Thank you for Your mercy and grace. Thank you for letting me be Your messenger boy, declaring Your gospel of reconciliation and freedom. Amen.