“On the eighth day Moses summoned Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. He said to Aaron, ‘Take a bull calf for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the LORD. And say to the people of Israel, “Take a male goat for a sin offering; a calf and a lamb, yearlings without blemish, for a burnt offering; and an ox and a ram for an offering of well-being to sacrifice before the LORD; and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today the LORD will appear to you.”’ They brought what Moses commanded to the front of the tent of meeting; and the whole congregation drew near and stood before the LORD. And Moses said, ‘This is the thing that the LORD commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.’ Then Moses said to Aaron, ‘Draw near to the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people; and sacrifice the offering of the people, and make atonement for them; as the LORD has commanded.’” Leviticus 9:1-7
Praise God we no longer are required to slaughter, butcher, clean, burn up, and cook animals (large, medium and small) to offer as sacrifice when we worship. Much less prepare by cutting/chopping/stacking wood enough to burn up large portions of flesh, haul water for washing, then haul away the ashes, and carcasses. Thank you Jesus for making atonement for all sin once and for all. However, since Jesus has atoned for all our sin, for all time, worship still requires preparation and effort. God is present everywhere at all times, we still are asked to draw near, to enter into His presence, to intentionally praise, thank and glorify God. God is holy, to enter His presence we to must be holy, holiness comes from God and the opportunity for holiness is the result of Jesus suffering, death and resurrection. It is now up to me/us to recognize the sin(s) in my life, confess those sins to God, ask for/receive the forgiveness He offers then turn from those sin(s) – repent, turn to God. Draw near, enter in, actively rest in God’s presence. Stop struggling and striving – receive the gift God offers.