God chose the Israelites for a special purpose; they were a nation set apart to bring forth God's ultimate plan of redemption to the world. God maintained His relationship with them through the priests of the tribe of Levi. These priests would devote their lives to the Lord and be representatives and mediators between God and the people. When God sent His son into the world, he offered a gift of grace and forgiveness to all mankind, and if they would accept him, they would be invited to be part of His chosen people. They would become the Holy Nation, the Royal priesthood, and a kingdom of priests. The one who surrenders to Christ is enlisted as a priest, an emissary of God called to represent God to the world.