But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of heaven.

1Pe 2:9

Israel was called to be a people of kings and priests, and so are we. What for? Peter says it here. In the American Standard it says: that ye may show forth the excellencies of him.

What is necessary to show the world how wonderful, how excellent he is then?

To be a special people. The word here is eklektos, chosen, elect. We are chosen by him to show forth his character. Not because we were predestined to do so, but because we accepted his invitation, his work on the cross. We gained the right to portray him to the world as kings and to the heavens as priests.

A holy nation. Here the word is hagios, blameless, sacred. We have lived a blameless life. We are forgiven, sanctified, his righteousness. As a new creation we are set apart to visualize God to the people.

A people completely given up to God, purchased. The word is peripoiesis, acquisition. We have been bought, yet we are sold out as well. Split into its parts, the word comes to mean totally, fully committed. We decided that we belonged to him. He bought every body on this planet – yet only a few decided to live accordingly and give him the rights he has over them.

But does all this suffice to portray his excellence?

No, we also need to be a royal priestly fraternity – basileios, hierateuma. Three things are hidden in this. A fraternity – a band of brothers. This points to sonship. A people of mature sons in brotherly relationship. Priestly – ready to lift up the people to God. Ready to sacrifice for the people. And kingly – ready to walk in authority, the authority of the King of Kings, to bring the Kingdom to earth.

Let’s focus on the last anointing mentioned: the one of a king. I am talking about ruling and reigning with him, seated in heavenly places. I am talking about ruling with a rode of iron. And I am taking about serving.

And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who was to have rule over all the nations with a rod of iron:and her child was taken up to God and to his high seat.

Rev 5:12

And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

Luk 12:42-44

And he said, The kings of the Gentiles are lords over them, and those who have authority are given names of honour. But let it not be so with you; but he who is greater, let him become like the younger; and he who is chief, like a servant.

Luk 22:25-26

We are kings.

And we behave like Saul.

Saul, when he was to be chosen king, hid with the luggage of the Israelites gathered.

We behave exactly like Saul. We think we are humble, but it is fear and pride that drives us. Fear to take responsibility, to take our rightful place. And pride, as we want to decide for ourselves whether we are worthy of the job. But if we are sold out and committed because we are bought and acquired and recognize and acknowledge the fact, it is not ours to decide.

Humility accepts what is true and acts on it. It is easy to follow the first part of the following verse, but true humility accepts the second part:

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Ja 4:10, 1Pe 5:6

Did you see that this verse is in the bible twice? By the mouth of two or three witnesses!

What did David do? He rose to the occasion. Actually, he was king from the moment of his anointing, even though he had to wait for another 13 years until he was set into office, and another 7 until all tribes recognized his kingship.

You are king. You were made a king at the cross. It came with the package when you accepted the Lord and his work. You are supposed to be David’s son, just like Jesus. A king from the time of his anointing, growing into maturity, and at an appointed time exalted by the Lord for all to see, with growing dominion.

Don’t act like Saul – timid, proud, afraid – and go on to loose your call.

Because for the tasks at hand, we need kings!

To manifest the excellencies of Christ who will lead whosoever wants from darkness into light.

Are you a king? Let me know.