I attended Brooklyn Tabernacle, an urban congregation in New York city, last Sunday. Jim Cymbala preached a powerful message from Haggai. The Choir filled the room with praises to our Risen King. It was two hours rich in worship.
BUT . . .
I didn’t get to chat with Pastor Cymbala. Nor did I get to interact with any members of the choir. I was an attendee without any special privileges.
My situation reminded me of God’s conversation with Moses in Leviticus 16.
“The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD. The LORD said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud of the atonement cover.'” verses 1-2
The verses that follow explain the proper way Aaron the Levitical priest was to approach the LORD. The Old Testament sacrificial system was a complex and weighty responsibility. There were a lot of details to note and obey in order to come into the presence of Adonai, the great I AM.
From what I know of God, I assume such arrangements were necessary for His chosen ones in those days. They make me thankful that I live after New Testament times when the requirements of a blood sacrifice for forgiveness of sin were satisfied, thereby quenching the Father’s wrath. Matthew 5:17
A priest no longer needs to regularly offer animal substitutes to pay for his own sin and that of God’s people. Instead “He [Jesus the Christ, Substance Creator, Ultimate Redeemer] sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.” Hebrews 7:27
Jesus [Sacrificial Lamb, Risen Savior, Tender Shepherd] declared, “‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” John 14:6
In other words, Jesus is the only access to the Father … for all those given to Him. John 6:37 When we recognize and receive His grace, we can move into His presence and remain there throughout eternity.
More than permission to shake Jim Cymbala’s hand or talk to a Tabernacle choir member, Jesus is my All Access Pass to heaven.
All barriers are swept away and I am heart-to-heart with God. No better place to be.
I trust you’ve been granted the All Access Pass and might experience this intimate privilege afresh.
with peace in the throne room,
Sandra