Many years ago when I was a relatively new Christian, I had the pleasure of seeing one of my favorite music artists, Twila Paris, in concert for free. I happened to be the right caller during a radio contest giveaway. Since I believed that part of God’s plan for me was that I’d one day get be used by Him to minister in song, the concert was also an opportunity to learn from a more mature Christian.
The beautiful blend of Twila’s voice with the smooth, melodic flow of the chord progressions in the music so beloved by all her fans brought thunderous applause, cheers and whistles between songs. But one act of worshipping the Lord by her in front of the crowd left my eager and inquisitive mind with a rather memorable impression. She broadly smiled and gracefully lifted her arm to the heavens, pointing toward the One truly deserving of all the admiration.
When people go to a Christian concert, is seems many are typically there to be entertained by some quality music that doesn’t have offensive lyrics. It’s not always thought of as a time for worshipping the Lord. However, Twila had apparently come to realize that she was not only a vessel for the music that the Lord had given to her, but she was also like a gatekeeper. God has anointed her to demonstrate worship in spirit and in truth. And that gifting of music He has put in her inspires others to focus their affections on the Lord and worship Him more fully.
What Twila Paris demonstrated in her concert is something that God has ordained every true church Worship Leader to do – help people to focus on going deeper in their relationship with Him. Today’s Worship Leaders are comparable to the Old Testament Levites. Although the passage in Exodus chapter 32: 1-6 as it relates to Aaron’s actions would be an example of a seriously misdirected Worship Leader, it illustrates the gatekeeper concept. Aaron should have spurned their demand for false gods by refusing to fabricate one. God detests idolatry because when we worship anything or anyone other than Him, it’s always a destructive focus not only for us, but often times for those around us as well. However, when Moses stood in the gate (or entrance) of the camp and demanded of those on the Lord’s side to come to him, the Levites at least got that part right (Ex 32:26).
The camp’s main gate was both symbolic and strategic positioning. Not only is the main gate representative of Jesus, but the city gates were also typically the place where hearings happened and judgments concerning legal matters were settled. And Israel had broken God’s law.
Another example of this can be found in Jeremiah 7:1-7. Not only does the Lord direct Jeremiah to stand in the worship gate and prophesy, but the Lord states very specifically through Jeremiah how He wants His people to act, particularly forbidding the destructive practice of idolatry.
Though the Old Testament penalty for not worshipping God exclusively was death, it’s always God’s preference to restore whenever possible. The book of Nehemiah and the restoration of the walls and gates of Jerusalem are yet another example involving the gatekeeper idea – and God’s desire to restore. Of course the ultimate Gatekeeper, Jesus, eagerly awaits our personal decision at the gate of everlasting life.
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