“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the Holiest by the Blood of Jesus, by a new and living Way, which He has consecrated for us, through the Veil, that is to say, His flesh—and having a High Priest over the House of God—let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Hebrews 10:19-22
It’s by Invitation only; but “whosoever will” is invited.
None of us would think about barging up to some president or king’s palace and demanding to be admitted. Not only would it be incredibly presumptuous, it would also likely cause us to end up in some pretty hot water.
Yet, today’s Manna talks about our having “boldness to enter into the Holiest.”
Now, we know the allusion here is to that of the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and Temple. Separated by a massive veil or curtain from the Holy Place, this Place was sacred and off-limits to everyone except the High Priest once every year on the annual Day of Atonement.
Even a cursory reading of Ex. 22-30 shows the great care that went into the construction of the Tabernacle and the sacredness of the Place and the holy utensils placed within it. But, we know all of that changed that Day when Jesus died on the Cross and the “veil in the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom” (Mk. 15:38).
Suddenly, the Holy of Holies was laid bare.
Suddenly, all eyes could peer into the sacred Place and see the golden Ark of the Covenant and its solid-gold Mercy Seat with crown molding and two cherubim with outstretched wings facing each other, their faces bowed down.
No doubt they held their breath and hesitated to look—so holy was the Place.
But, no longer would that place be off-limits to everyone but the earthly high priest. Because of Jesus’ Death on the Cross, access to God’s Throne Room was now granted to everyone who placed their trust in Christ alone. And, because of this “new and LIVING way—i.e., through Jesus Blood”—we now have “boldness (Grk. ‘parrhesia’—‘confident, frankness, outspokenness, calm assurance, etc.’) to enter in” (cf. Heb. 4:16). Hallelujah!!
Oh, dear Pilgrim, isn’t it wonderful to know that our “High Priest over the House of God” now escorts us into the very Presence of the Heavenly Father? Isn’t it comforting to know His Holy Spirit assists us in praying, perfecting our prayers and presenting them to God in a way that’s acceptable to Him (Rom. 8:26-27)?
Yes, no longer do we need to shrink back with fear and trembling when we think of God’s greatness and our sinfulness (Is. 6:1-5). Instead, because of Christ’s atoning Blood we can now approach God’s Throne of Mercy and Grace even as the child of the President would approach his/her father in the oval office. May we live lives today that bring glory to the One Who loves us with some condescending, compassionate Love. May we also tell others how they, too, can “boldly enter in.”
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated March 3, 2011
