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August 23, 2020

The Priesthood of Believers

Brad Sartor   |   Read Psalm 124:1-8

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Lectionary Week
August 17–23, 2020
Scripture Overview

Genesis now introduces a painful turn in the story of God’s people. The Israelites are forced into slavery; yet amid this dark time, a baby boy, Moses, is born. God has already begun the story of their deliverance. The psalmist recognizes that the Israelites would be overwhelmed and swept away without the help of the Maker of heaven and earth. Paul gives the Romans two specific instructions: First, they should be changed so that they follow God’s ways, not the world’s. Second, they must understand that they all need one another. Each child of God has a part to play in the overall body of Christ. In a famous passage in Matthew, Peter makes the basic Christian confession: Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Son of God.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Exodus 1:8–2:10. How can you serve in a priestly role?
Read Psalm 124. Reflect on the many ways God has blessed you and your community. Consider writing your own song of ascent.
Read Romans 12:1-8. What part of yourself are you holding back from God? How can you bring your whole self to your faith?
Read Matthew 16:13-20. Why do you think it is important to fully understand Christ’s identity before witnessing to Christ’s mission?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 124:1-8

1 If the LORD hadn’t been for us let Israel now repeat! 2 if the LORD hadn’t been for us, when those people attacked us 3 then they would have swallowed us up whole with their rage burning against us! 4 Then the waters would have drowned us; the torrent would have come over our necks; 5 then the raging waters would have come over our necks! 6 Bless the LORD because he didn’t hand us over like food for our enemies’ teeth! 7 We escaped like a bird from the hunters’ trap; the trap was broken so we escaped! 8 Our help is in the name of the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

Psalm 124 is part of a group of psalms that are songs of ascent, or praise songs used by ancient Jewish worshipers traveling to Jerusalem for various feasts. The following could be our own “song of ascent” taken from our journey of this week’s readings:

Let us go up to...

God, who made heaven and earth, you are the One we worship. Amen.


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