Barriers to God

Leviticus 8-9, Matthew 23

Lev 9:22 “Then Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having sacrificed the sin offering, the burnt offering and the fellowship offering, he stepped down.”

Mat 23:13 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”

Mat 23:23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”

I was asking myself as I read the New Testament, why is it that almost everyone could recognise Jesus except the priests, the anointed ones of God? It is so ironical.

In Leviticus 8-9, we read that the priests were given a high place, they were set apart by God so they could help be a bridge between man and God. They represented God, they represented man. They were supposed to help God communicate with His people and the people with God. They should know who is God.

Along the way, the priests lost their way. The rules and laws set by God for them to perform for the people were to bring the people close to God – for justice, for mercy and faithfulness. Instead, the priests made it hard for most ordinary people to go to God- it became something that only the rich could practice. It became about status, power, money, learnedness, etc. Getting to God became something exclusive, only for the privileged few. The priests were proud of this as it puts them in high standing. Instead of being bridges, the priests became barriers to God for the people.

So once again, God has to come down to reach out to the people - the ordinary ones, the ‘last’ ones. This time, He really made sure all have direct access to know and be close to Him if they choose to.

I wonder what's the situation today? Are we bridges or barriers?

Rules and laws were always meant for good. They were meant for protection. It’s the people that fall short. Thank God He never.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your grace. Please help make us bridges for the people to come to you, in Jesus name, amen.