Exclusive Access
I’ve always told my kids that they have direct access to me. If one of my kids calls me back to back, it should be an emergency. I’ve promised them that I will answer or certainly know that there is a problem that needs my help. I don’t give every other person that level of access. If I’m in a meeting or visiting with a friend, a phone call or text will need to wait until I’m finished with my current meeting. My wife and kids can break through that wall due to their relationship with me.
The Lord sort of had a system like this with the people of Israel. A regular guy could not walk up to the Tabernacle and asked to speak to God. They had to go through the proper channels. They had to go to the Levites and the Priests in order to get to the Lord. Check this out….
49 “Do not include the tribe of Levi in the registration; do not count them with the rest of the Israelites. 50 Put the Levites in charge of the Tabernacle of the Covenant, along with all its furnishings and equipment. They must carry the Tabernacle and all its furnishings as you travel, and they must take care of it and camp around it. 51 Whenever it is time for the Tabernacle to move, the Levites will take it down. And when it is time to stop, they will set it up again. But any unauthorized person who goes too near the Tabernacle must be put to death.
52 Each tribe of Israel will camp in a designated area with its own family banner.53 But the Levites will camp around the Tabernacle of the Covenant to protect the community of Israel from the Lord’s anger. The Levites are responsible to stand guard around the Tabernacle.”
54 So the Israelites did everything just as the Lord had commanded Moses. (Numbers 1:49-54 NLT)
When Jesus came to earth, He delivered direct access to God. It was no long exclusive to just the priests or church leaders. Everyone could speak directly to the Lord about anything and everything.
I remember when I served as a youth pastor, people would change their behavior in front of me, like I was going to report their sin to God. The may have thought that I was someone special too. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge and that is the Lord Himself. What started with the Tabernacle became customary with the temple. The only access to God under the old law was via the priests or Levites. When Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the temple that protects the most holy place from the regular people, was torn from top to bottom giving direct access to the Lord once and for all.
I’m thankful that I can speak to the Lord wherever I am. I don’t have to go to a specific place to speak to the Lord. I can speak to Him in my home, in the woods, on the lake, in the church…. literally anywhere. He is with me. He is for me. He now dwells in the hearts of humans who trust Him and welcome Him. I am thankful for direct access. He is my Counselor, my Confidant, my Trusted Friend and Advisor. I’m thankful for His Presence in me and the direct access that His Presence brings.
Pressing On!
Dwayne