Without privilege, there will be no sense of duty. For example, the person who has no sense of the privilege of living in a free land will feel no duty to serve their country.
A person who feels no duty to help with household chores, thumbs his nose at having a roof over his head, hot meals, and running water.
Where there is no sense of privilege there will be no sense of duty.
Nothing corrodes the soul faster than the idea we are owed something for everything we do.
A mother who bargains with her children offering treats and concessions every time she wishes them to pick up their toys teaches a lesson more harmful than she realizes.
An employee who expects a gratuity or bonus for every extra little bit of effort on the job doesn't deserve the benefit of having one. This is not to disapprove honest compensation or frown on treating a youngster when they are helpful.
But let us be sure we understand duty deserves no compensation and privilege involves no cost. A privilege is a gift that comes at no charge. Likewise, duty is performed without then presenting a tab.
Zechariah the priest entered the Lord's temple to fulfill his duty. It was a priestly obligation to keep incense burning on the golden altar in front of the Most Holy Place. Fresh frankincense was to be supplied before the morning sacrifice and again following the evening sacrifice. This was a duty which was neither a chore nor a bore.
It was expected as every duty should be, yet it was also a privilege.
Unthinkable to Zechariah would be just to skip it. They didn't find Zechariah home in Hasidic mukluks or fishing out at the kibbutz during the hour of prayer. He was in the temple where he belonged by duty and privilege.
And what a privilege indeed, a high privilege! Can there be any other kind? Whoever speaks poorly of privilege except those who abuse it?
Perhaps only once in his life would a priest be granted this privilege since the lot was chosen from among thousands eligible. Of course, Zechariah understood this was a duty imposed by God. He was a priest, and the lot had fallen to him. Scripture calls it serving, not wage earning, grossing salary, or putting up billable hours. It was a sacred obligation.
As duty it deserved not even a thank you.
Jesus said, "Does [the one who has a servant] thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'" (Luke 17:9-10)
Zechariah was not in the temple because he'd get remunerated for time on the clock or earn tips for burning incense. And certainly not because someone coerced him into doing it. He understood the privilege, and that's why he welcomed the duty.
For us, what a supreme privilege it is to enter the House of the Lord. Today, privileges, priceless benefits, and divine favor flow to each and every one of us every time we are in the presence of God's Word. No higher treasure is given us than to hear the preaching of the Gospel and gain the blessings of Christ in the Sacraments. To be forgiven, to be fed, to be lifted up and healed, to be blessed and cared for is pure privilege. It is what Christ regards as His welcomed duty -- a freedom He would perform.
No one has to drag Jesus into the sanctuary every Sunday. No one has to cajole or coax Christ into forgiving sins. The liturgy is not our means to manipulate God. Rather, in every Word it expresses God's accountability to the promise He made to bless us. The liturgy is Christ on duty. He comes to fulfill a promise toward us, not some insufferable job, but the joy of washing your feet, emancipating your conscience through His forgiveness, and cheering your heart by His love.
Scripture adds the significant detail that while Zechariah was on duty "the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense."
These were not folks with particular offices to perform, tasks assigned, or obligations. They came because the Lord was there. They came to pray because God promised to hear them and answer.
There is no record of some guy named Hiram in the temple just because he was on the usher schedule or of two kids named Moesha and Rebekah who only come because they can't go on a youth trip unless they show their face at Temple. No, it only describes the multitude as worshipping. That's privilege. And with the privilege they felt a duty to make use of it.
During Advent, may God reveal again to you the privileges in Christ He grants you without cost, and may He strengthen your regard for His grace and lead you to welcome the duties of a Christian as sacred privilege.
