Secret Santa and the Royal Priesthood

Early Sunday morning, Brandon and I woke up, poured ourselves bowls of cereal, and caught this special interest story on CBS's "Sunday Morning"show:





The story left Brandon and I in tears. Jonathan, a heroine addict and self-proclaimed deadbeat was literally at the end of his rope. Out of money and, subsequently, out of hope. As a last resort, he prayed to a God he didn't even believe in.  The result? Bam. God showed up. But not in the literal sense.  He didn't stand before Jonathan in the flesh or even appear through the flames of a burning bush.  Instead, He showed up through an elderly man dressed in a red driving cap, passing out 100 dollar bills and calling himself "Secret Santa." But $100 wasn't all that Jonathan received in his exchange with Secret Santa. He also received hope.  In that moment, he knew that the God he cried out to had heard his desperation and answered his prayer.  For the first time, he understood that God not only exists, but that he loves him and cares about his life.


After watching that video, I was reminded that I need to be more of a "Secret Santa." As someone who has access to the treasure of Jesus, it's like I'm that old man, my pockets packed with $100 dollar bills just ready to hand out.  What a privilege--to get to represent the inward character of Jesus outwardly to a world of people who are hungry and waiting for the truth.


I'm not the only one who is called to be a "Secret Santa." Anyone who knows Jesus is. But there's another word that God used for this privilege. Priest. A Royal Priesthood.  1 Peter 2:9 says, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, belonging to God..." When hearing the word priest, images of the Pope may come to mind, or maybe you imagine Peter Cook's rather frightening role as the officiant with an overwhelming speech impediment in "The Princess Bride."

But there is a much different image God gives for us when he calls us to be priests.  In the Old Testament, the word "priest" was reserved for a select few (Exodus 19:5-6).  Under Mosaical law, the tribe of Levi was dedicated to the service of God.  From the tribe of Levi, priests were hand selected. And from the priests, a high priest, who was responsible for representing the whole nation of Israel. Priests held a high and holy responsibility. They served as the mediators between God and the people. They are the ones who took the people's sacrifices and offered them up to God so that the sins of the people would be forgiven. 


Fast forward to the New Testament, after Jesus himself became a sacrifice for our sins, and the word "priest" takes on a whole new definition.  Suddenly, it becomes a general call to all of God's people--not just a select few.  The same truth remains today.  We are all priests for the Most High.  We have a high and holy duty.  Our duty is to represent Jesus to the world around us.  To pray for others before our Heavenly Father.  To be the mediators--the Secret Santas--that deliver the treasure of Jesus  to those who are at the end of their rope and hungry for a reason to hope.  Obviously, we can't pray for everyone in the world at the same time.  That's why the Holy Spirit gives us a specific burden for certain people or groups of people.  We become the priests and the Secret Santas for that particular community.  What an awesome privilege.


I keep thinking about that little video of "Secret Santa" meeting Jonathan at the bus station in Reading, Pennsylvania.  I can't help but think about who I will meet tomorrow who is just waiting with expectation for a miracle. Time to put on my red driving cap and get ready to hand out some $100 dollar bills...