Worship and Serve

Today I read Numbers 16:39-18:26 and Luke 14:12-15:32. My favorite verses are:

Numbers 18:22 Neither must the children of Israel henceforth come nigh the tabernacle of the congregation, lest they bear sin, and die.

Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Numbers 18:22 caught my attention and made me think that some Christians must have read this verse and thought it applied to them. Sorry, I am being sarcastic—but it does seem to me that some people think that they are not supposed to come near the church. They do not worship and serve God with the church family as God intended for His children to do. The tabernacle in the Old Testament was a special place which only the priests and Levites could approach to make sacrifices for themselves and the people of Israel to atone for their sins against God. Today, because Jesus gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins, we can approach the very throne of God to seek forgiveness when we sin against Him. And there is joy in heaven each time someone receives salvation and finds that free access to God. We do not need a priest to go between us and God. Each of us has full access to God and His church, and we should take advantage of the provision He has made for us.