A royal priesthood

1 Peter 2:9

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

This verse, taken from the New Testament writings of Peter, compares what is now realized in Christ Jesus to what was hidden in a mystery long ago...  

The royal priesthood was originally established by God through Moses in Exodus 28:1.  There, God says to Moses:

"Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron's sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleaszar, and Ithamar."  

These appointed priests served by participating in burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin and trespass offerings, and more.  Only those born into this direct line of Aaron were permitted to take part, as priests, in such activities.  Each activity had a specific design and each activity foreshadowed the work of Christ.  For example, the burnt offering was one in which an Israelite would bring an animal sacrifice from the herd, or from the flock, to the priests to make atonement for him.  Then, the Israelite would place their hand on the animal's head, signifying that this was their offering (offered on their behalf).  Next, the Israelite would kill the animal before the Lord and before the priests.  The priests would then take the animal and cast its blood on the altar and burn its body as a burnt offering to the Lord.  In picture, Jesus is our burnt offering.  He is accepted on our behalf, His blood atones for our sin, and His body was offered in our place.  Although these things were initially hidden to the nation of Israel, when Christ came, the hidden things began to surface.  Likewise, Jesus is our grain offering.  The grain offering represents Christ's perfect work being accepted by God.  Furthermore, the grain offering foreshadows our good works being accepted by Him through faith in Him.  Hebrews 11:6 says, "And without faith it is impossible to please God..."  In addition to these offerings, Jesus is also our peace offering that demonstrates our fellowship with Him through justification.  Since we have been justified in Christ, we are no longer under condemnation.  We are no longer enemies of God.  In this, we have peace with Him.

Therefore, just as the Aaronic priests ministered to God in these things during the dispensation of the Law, so we minister to God in the life of Jesus today during the dispensation of Grace, as priests, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God.  1 Peter 1-5 says, 

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.  Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Christ Jesus is our salvation.  He reconciled us, justified us, and has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.  As royal priests, we minister in this new life by spiritual sacrifices, offered up to God.  These sacrifices are given in the form of praise, thanksgiving, and good works- things that are acceptable to God through Christ.  For works by themselves cannot bring us near to God nor please Him.  

Hebrews 13:15-16 says,

"Therefore, by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.  But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

Today, we are a royal priesthood in Christ Jesus.