Romans 15:16a: “…to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God….” Paul saw himself in a priestly role.

Imagine a person in ancient times who has crossed over a line in some way against God.  Relationship has been broken and he desires restoration with the God once more.  So he takes a lamb to bring as a sacrifice to the Temple and presents it to the priest.  You can imagine the priest greeting the the person, hearing his situation, but the priest’s attention would soon focus away from the man and be directed upon the lamb, the offering the man has brought to sacrifice.  The lamb would be inspected anb examined, however, the man would not.  The priest would verify the lamb being without spot and blemish and then the priest would invite the man to place his hands on the lamb and confess his situation to the Father.  Together the priest and the man would connect to the Father and restoration would be made as they focused upon the lamb.  

This is our post as part of the royal priesthood.  We don’t focus on the behavior of people and try to rehabilitate them.  We encourage them to focus their attention on the Lamb and His ability and already completed work of rescue, restoration, and salvation.

Make my hands, Your hands. Make my words, Your words. Make my life a connection for others to receive You.