In what ways can we honor Christ's kingship and priesthood in daily life? A Crown in Zechariah, A Crown on Christ “Take silver and gold, make an ornate crown, and set it on the head of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest.” (Zechariah 6:11) The crowning of Joshua unites the offices of priest and king in one man, foreshadowing Jesus—our eternal High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and King of kings (Revelation 19:16). Because Scripture is true and literal, this prophetic picture calls us to respond in real, daily ways. Honoring His Kingship: Daily Practices • Surrender authority: deliberately yield every plan to Christ’s rule (Colossians 3:17). • Obey promptly: treat His commands as royal decrees—no delays, no negotiations (John 14:15). • Seek first His kingdom: let advancing the gospel shape schedules, budgets, and ambitions (Matthew 6:33). • Speak of His reign: confess Christ openly at home, work, and online (Acts 20:24). • Celebrate His victories: recount answered prayers and share testimonies, exalting the King (Psalm 145:10-13). • Practice kingdom justice: defend the vulnerable, pursue integrity, reflect the righteousness of the throne (Psalm 89:14). Honoring His Priesthood: Daily Practices • Draw near confidently: use the access His priesthood secures—consistent, reverent prayer (Hebrews 4:16). • Offer spiritual sacrifices: praise, thanksgiving, and good works rise like incense (Hebrews 13:15-16). • Keep short accounts: confess sin quickly, trusting His finished atonement (1 John 1:9). • Intercede for others: stand in the gap for family, church, leaders, and the lost (1 Timothy 2:1-3). • Guard purity: remember priests kept themselves undefiled; pursue holiness in body and mind (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Teach the Word: priests instructed Israel; share Scripture faithfully with children, friends, disciples (Deuteronomy 33:10). Integrating Kingship and Priesthood • Morning coronation, evening offering: begin each day acknowledging His throne, end each day laying life on the altar (Psalm 5:3; Romans 12:1). • Royal service, priestly heart: serve others with kingly authority over evil and a priest’s compassion for souls (Matthew 20:25-28). • Public honor, private communion: proclaim His reign openly while maintaining secret fellowship in the holy place of prayer (Matthew 6:6). Living as a Royal Priesthood “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood… so that you may proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9) • Identity shapes activity: because He crowns us with both roles, we mirror Him—reigning over sin and serving in sacrificial love. • Community expression: gather with believers to worship the King and minister to one another as priests (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Hopeful anticipation: each act of honor rehearses the day when “the LORD will be king over all the earth” (Zechariah 14:9). Every crown of obedience and every sacrificial prayer rests on Christ’s head, magnifying the One who is simultaneously our sovereign King and our sympathetic High Priest. |
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