Preparing for corporate worship: He brings us to God

"For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit" (I Peter 3:18). More could be said about this verse, but here are two reminders from the text: (1) We were unjust and therefore deserving of the eternal punishment that is due those who are unjust. Yet, Jesus died for us that we might miraculously be declared just solely on the basis of His justness; (2) Jesus brings us to God on the basis of His death. We will come into the presence of God this Sunday as He dwells among His people in the special way He does when the church gathers. The Lord Jesus and His atoning sacrifice -- not any worship leader, musician or music -- will bring us to God on that occasion. May we recognize, and rejoice in, the person and work of Christ, who makes worship of God possible.