Leviticus 16-18

I’m glad I live this side of the cross. Because Jesus is my Savior, I can boldly approach the throne of God and know He welcomes me. I don’t have to go through a priest because Jesus is my High Priest. I don’t need to sacrifice an animal. Jesus sacrificed Himself for me.

But often when I read passages like the one I read today concerning everything required for Aaron to approach the Lord, I wonder if we haven’t lost a bit of the reverence and awe of God the Jews had there in the desert. I wonder if we’ve become so familiar with God we’ve forgotten how to fear Him. Have we become so casual in our worship we neglect to recognize His holiness?

I’ve heard people ask, “Shouldn’t we have the same excitement in our worship as we do at a football game?” They base their picture of worship on David’s joyful entrance into the city where he danced with abandon, or psalms that speak of the joy of worship. (You do know there are also psalms that speak of humility and brokenness in worship, too, don’t you?)

I’m sorry, but equating worship and football games is ridiculous. Worship is not about cheering God on. “Give me a G…”

Let me encourage us all to remember what worship really is, and who it is we worship. Our approach to the Lord may have changed because of Jesus. But God is still the holy, fearsome, awesome God He was when Aaron approached Him with fear and trembling.

And God still deserves our reverence.