Under the old covenant, God often kept His people at a distance. When He appeared to Moses, He warned, "Do not come any closer; take off your shoes." When God showed Himself on Mount Sinai, He commanded the people to stay back. In the tabernacle and the temple, this separation was clear. Ordinary people couldn’t enter even the outer courts. Only the priests entered the inner court. The high priest visited the Holy of Holies just once a year. In this way, God reminded us that sin is repulsive to Him, creating a gap between a holy God and sinful people.

With the gospel, everything changed. "Come" replaced "Go." We who were far off are now brought close through Jesus' blood. God incarnate has no barrier; He calls, "Come to me, all you who labor and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." He draws near, not by setting us apart for our sins, but by suffering for them Himself.

This closeness to God through Jesus is a profound safety and privilege. Do you know it? Are you living with this truth? It’s wonderful now, but it will be even greater when God truly dwells among us. Come quickly, Lord.