RTTSS IS CHRIST CENTERED AND ROOTED IN CHRIST, HIS WORD, HIS WILL, HIS SPIRIT.
Leviticus 9–10; Matthew 27
God Defines How He Is Approached
Leviticus 9 is a powerful moment. The priesthood is established. The offerings are made exactly as God commanded. And then something incredible happens:
“Fire came out from before the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the portions of fat on the altar; and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.”
— Leviticus 9:24 (NASB 2020)
God shows up. His presence is visible. His glory is undeniable. Everything is done His way, and His approval is clear.
Then chapter 10 happens.
Nadab and Abihu bring what Scripture calls “strange fire” — worship God did not command. They approach Him on their own terms, and fire comes out again. But this time, it consumes them.
“So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.”
— Leviticus 10:2 (NASB 2020)
Same God. Same fire.
One accepted. One rejected.
The difference was not sincerity.
The difference was obedience.
God says plainly:
“By those who come near Me I will be treated as holy,
And before all the people I will be honored.”
— Leviticus 10:3 (NASB 2020)
God’s presence is not casual. His holiness is not flexible.
He decides how He is approached.
Then we turn to Matthew 27.
Here we see another sacrifice. Not repeated offerings. Not priests bringing animals. The Son of God Himself is brought forward.
At the cross, judgment falls again. But this time the fire of God’s justice falls on Christ.
“And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom…”
— Matthew 27:50–51 (NASB 2020)
The veil tears. Access opens. The barrier is removed.
But notice something — access to God did not come because His holiness relaxed.
It came because His holiness was fully satisfied.
Leviticus shows us that approaching God wrongly brings death.
Matthew shows us Christ absorbing that death so we can approach God rightly.
God still defines the way.
That way is now Christ.
We don’t approach God through creativity, effort, emotion, or sincerity alone. We come through the sacrifice He provided. On His terms. By His mercy.
The same holiness that consumed Nadab and Abihu is the holiness that Christ faced on the cross — and satisfied.
And that leaves us with a question:
Do I approach God on His terms, or mine?
Prayer
Father,
You are holy, and You are not to be approached casually.
Thank You for providing the way to come near through Christ.
Guard my heart from treating Your presence lightly.
Teach me to approach You with reverence, obedience, and gratitude for what Jesus has done.
Amen.