After the Israelites left Egypt, they had many challenges ahead of them, the biggest one being to enter and conquer the Promised Land. An army was needed, so the able men were counted and recruited. But an entire tribe, the Levites, was set apart for another purpose: worship. They were a tribe of priests. Worship was so important that the Levites one job was to lead God’s people in worship. The tabernacle and worship were central to the community life of Israel.
Fortunately we don’t have to through a priest or offer sacrifices to get to God today. That’s why Jesus came. But worship is still central to our Christian communities. It’s central to our personal lives as well. Let’s keep that in mind as we go about our business throughout this week, and as we meet together each week in the name our great high priest — our “Levite” — Jesus.