The priesthood of all believers is a topic highly talked about, but too rarely practiced. It has become no more than theological jargon with little or no meaning. Yet, we like Israel, are entitled to be a nation of priests. All of us, whether clergy or lay, share in an ordination by God to be priests. All persons who believe in Jesus the Christ are a part of this priestly nation.

But, what constitutes a priest? How can I know whether I am a priest? The Bible dictionary informs us that, “The New Testament word for ‘priest’ is related to a word meaning ‘holy,’ and indicates one who is consecrated to and engaged in holy matters.” It further declares that, “The Hebrew word for priest is of uncertain origin, but seems originally to have meant a ‘seer,’ as well as one who has to do with divine things.” There was a local pastor who had a sign on the outside of the office door that read, “The Seer Is In.” The priest is in. We are led to believe, then, that a priest is a holy seer who does divine things.

Now, the dictionary of pastoral care and counseling defines priest as “One who functions officially to establish or preserve contact between the human community and the diety; thus, a mediator between God and humankind.” This definition of a priest speaks to me with great clarity. In other words a priest is one who stands on the earth somewhere between God and humankind working intentionally to bridge the gap between God and the people of God. No longer, then, shall we be separated from our God, but united by grace through the ministry of the priest.

God declared to Moses, “Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The psalmist was even led to declare, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.” The people of God living on God’s earth even in the fading years of the 20th century are called and challenged to be priests. The people of the world today need a divine priestly intercessor. Therefore; in consideration of the priesthood of all believers, let us explore three characteristics of a priest in the hope that you will be able to analyze the real you and ascertain whether or not you are a priest.

First, a priest is one who possesses a meaningful relationship with God. Among the 50 or 60 or even 100 personal associates of yours, is God one in the number? If God is, then what place does God occupy on your priority list? There are casual acquaintances and then there are personal, intimate friends. How well do you know God, how often are you in dialogue and what is the quality level of the relationship? These are the kinds of questions which must be explored in determining One’s priestly qualifications. A priest knows God and is known by God.

During the decade of the ‘60s, Thomas Altiozier and George Hamilton were two voices articulating a death of God thesis. It left speechless many persons who were long standing in their church involvement. Some people began to question the relevance of theological education. Still others simply wondered what the world was coming to. Some even rejoiced over the declaration of the two theologians because for the first time in their lives, church leaders, who were our priests, had to seriously think about their faith. This misunderstood theological thesis caused us to ponder the question, “Is God alive or dead?” The evangelist Billy Graham offered the greatest hope when he declared in essence that, “God is not dead, I talked with God this morning and God talked back to me.” Yes, Dr. Graham went on record by telling the world of his dialogical relationship with God.

If we are to be priests, we must also have a dialogical relationship with God. In other words, there has to be meaning in our relationship with God. In order to bring someone to God it is necessary for the bearer to know the receiver. We develop a personal relationship to and with God through the medium of prayer.

Prayer is the expression of the soul’s sincere desire whether it is verbally expressed or inwardly declared. Jesus prayed in the garden and on the mountain, taught the disciples to pray and answered prayer even in moments of dying. Hear those words, “Today thou shall be with me in paradise.” Prayer was answered immediately just like the miracles of healing time and time again. There were numerous occurrences from turning the water to wine to the calling of Lazarus from death to life. Jesus declared, “Whatever you ask for, believe that you have received it and it will be yours… (Mark 11:24).”

The contention is, then, that faith is the necessary ingredient that makes prayer work. Prayer without faith is just an arrangement of words without power. The apostle Paul talks about a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1). Priests are persons who pray with great regularity to God knowing that God both hears and answers. It is through prayer that the speaking to and hearing from God becomes two-dimensional and enables one to effectively serve in the world as a priest.

Does God know you? Do you know God? When was the last time the two of you had a good talk? Remember, the first characteristic of a priest is one who possesses a meaningful relationship with God. This relationship is developed and nurtured through prayer. The issue before us is not one of ordination, but establishing a relationship with God.

The second characteristic of a priest is that everyone who qualifies for the assignment of priest has to be a team player. No stars, no VIPs, just team players. In other words, the task at hand is more important than any one player.

Consider a professional basketball game in which the score is tied at the end of regulation play. The rules for a professional basketball game dictate that five minutes of overtime play be allotted until the tied score can be broken and a winner declared. In the overtime play of one particular game, the coach of the home team sent on the court five well-paid professional basketball players. The coach of the visiting team simply sent in to play one professional basketball team. The conclusion is obvious, the visiting team won the game. One basketball team will beat five individual players any day of the week. A priest has to be a team player if the will of God is to be made manifest.

Now, ask yourself the question, “Am I a team player in the life of the Lord’s church, or does everything have to be centered around me?” Self-centered people are incapable of being priests. But those persons who possess the ability to work well with others and receive strength from each other become the real priests.

Consider the three young men of Hebrew origin who were consistent in their refusal to worship idol Gods. They remained steadfast even in the face of death. Although many might have given up, they chose to die in order to remain true to what they believed. They were convinced that their God had the power to save them from the fiery furnace. However, they were forthright in proclaiming that even though their God chose not to save them, they still would not go contrary to their faith. Dying is not so bad when you have something in which to believe. The action of these young men who stayed together even in a pit of execution with curiosity seekers standing by looking on is impressive. They were together on one accord. Because priests are on the same team with a common enemy, they will consistently stand together in support of each other. The ability to assist each other is of paramount importance in the life of a priest. All believers in Jesus Christ are called to priestly functions. Ours is a job of servant in the world. We major in helping each other in the interest of the whole. Our individualism becomes immersed in our togetherness. In other words, the process of harmonization becomes the order of every day.

Think of the basketball player who sets records for the number of assists. To be credited with an assist, one has to pass the ball to someone else who then scores. It is not the person who shoots the ball, but the one who passes the ball. Likewise, the priest with the ball of life, who is double teamed by the forces of evil in the world, sees another priest in the open on the other side of the court, does not try to make the impossible shot, but rather passes the ball to the priest in the open for an easy score. Yes, when we work together on the team, the job of the world’s salvation moves from the realm of impossibility to the shore of possibility. Thank God for priests who are team players, for men and women in the church who do not seek to be the celestial stars, but fellow servants in the faith. A priest is one who understands and is committed to being a team player.

Thirdly, a priest has a specific task. God said to Moses, “These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites… (Exodus 19:6).” No priest has the privilege of faith without work. Each one has a specific job to do. Just as in the game of basketball there are two forwards, one center and two guards. We even subdivide the guard position and call one the point guard, meaning the player with the responsibility for controlling the tempo and flow of the game. Priests are also designated for various functions.

Some will have the functions of witnessing. Jonah was called on by God to witness and he said no, but God said yes. This brings up the point of what happens when our will is contrary to God’s will. The answer is simply… God always prevails. Jonah tried to run, but could not hide for God caught him on the run and compelled him to witness to the people of God’s choice.

We, like Jonah, are called upon to witness for God in the communities where we live and work. Priests must witness in the interest of the salvation of all people. One cannot help but be impressed by the commitment of the Jehovah Witness to systematically go into the community from door to door and share their faith with whosoever will let them enter. Many of us are critical to their methodology and even their theology, but how many allegedly mainline protestant denominations will match them in commitment to witness? Even when witnessing is the job of a priest, it is as if all obligations are met when we simply come to a house of worship on Sunday morning for an hour or so and then go home as if all obligations to the faith and to God have been met in full. When, in fact, we have succeeded in deceiving ourselves, prostituting the church and disappointing God. We are called to be the priesthood of all believers who are witnessing for Jesus Christ in the world.

Others will have the function of teaching. A priest is a teacher. The city of Chicago is a place where the Roman Catholic Church is very strong. There was a time when the Catholic schools rivaled the Chicago city schools in number of students. The priests and nuns were ordained, consecrated and assigned to their schools for the purpose of educating the boys and girls. Their children were taught both the secular and the sacred, while at the same time strengthening their evangelistic efforts. A growing number of congregations have now become involved in parochial education. Priests, whether clergy or lay, are called of God to a ministry of education. The word of God must be taught in our local congregations, if nowhere else. We become God’s board of education and we are challenged to do our best as priests of education.

Then, priests must reach out to the least of these. Every time the 25th chapter of Matthew is read, there is a haunting feeling. Which message really applies to me? Have we been faithful in embracing the mass of broken humanity or have we become relaxed in the comfortable pew and the thermostatically controlled home? Have we really heard the cry of the needy and given our best? When we seek to do good, are we offering a helping hand or just a handout?

Mother Theresa has given her life to the wretched of the earth. She obviously has said yes thousands of times in presenting her spirit and body to share with the dying poor of India. Her life and witness ought to serve as a moral example for all of us, so that while we might never do what she has done, by God’s grace we will be compelled to do more. Our role as priest will, out of necessity, carry us to the pits of human degradation so that our brothers and sisters who live there and accept their plight as a way of life might know the love of Christ.

How comfortable it must be with membership in a large and popular congregation. But, the church of Jesus Christ only becomes alive and meaningful when the people have been challenged to go into the world as ministers to the people of the world. Bishop Emerson Colaw tells the story of seeing the words of the psalmist, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise… (Psalm 1).” These words normally appeared over the entrance of the sanctuary visible only upon entering. Finally, he saw the same words, “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise,” in another church. But this time the words were visible in leaving the sanctuary going out into the world. We cannot conveniently bottle God up in our nice and comfortable sanctuaries. God is bigger than our sanctuaries. The psalmist is right, the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.

If we are to be the priesthood of all believers, then we must get out of the sanctuary and be the church in the world with the lonely, the poor, the hopeless, the sick, the incarcerated, the dispossessed and the list can go on and on and on infinitely. Praise be to God for priests who are on the job in ministering to the least of these, our brothers and sisters.

We are all challenged to hear and accept God’s word. “You, yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now, if you will obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites (Exodus 19:4-6).”

We are who we are, and have what we do today by the grace of God. To whom much is given, much is required. In comparison with the rest of the world, America is greatly blessed and it is therefore God’s will for us to give greatly in the interest of others. We must be the nation of priests for God. Peace will come in the world without and apart from the priestly involvement of Godly people. Will you accept the challenge today as one of God’s priests?

The characteristics are clearly before us: Have an intimate relationship with God, be a team player and accept your job assignment. When you say yes to the opportunity to be a holy priest, then God will be pleased and the world will be blessed. Amen.