Observation: In this passage God gives instructions for setting apart Levite priests to represent the people before God in Temple worship. In fact, during the night of the Passover God set aside the firstborn of all the Israelites, not just this one tribe. But because God knows the people can't repay this debt, the tribe of Levi will be set aside as priests instead.
Application: For Christians, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that it's not just one family that can be priests. Anyone can. The bad news--or rather, the challenge--is, by our baptism, we ALL are priests. Nobody's off the hook.
We come from a Christian tradition in which we have trained, professional church leaders: pastors and deacons. But we're not "professional Christians." Every baptized person represents Christ on earth, as well as lifting up the world before God in prayer. None of us can do that perfectly, and God's grace is there for us when we fail. But we are responsible to get up each morning and keep doing it.
Prayer: God, thank you for the gift and responsibility of being your priest. Help me take time to connect with you, and time to serve my neighbor, each day, as you have called me to do. Amen.
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