Leviticus 1-2

“Now when anyone presents a grain offering …” (2:1).  God, being completely holy, cannot be casually approached by sinful humans.  He allowed the Israelites to have a relationship with Him, mediated by the priests and sacrificial system.  They could bring offerings and sacrifices, but all these rituals were carefully regulated and could only be observed in the tabernacle.  These strict boundaries helped keep Israelite worship pure and undefiled by the pagan idol worship of their near neighbors.

Jesus announced that the time had come to worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4).   Through Jesus, anyone, anywhere, can approach our holy God without fear.