September 30

“…since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain… let us draw near to God with a sincere heart…” — HEBREWS 10:19-22

The writer of Hebrews says that it is through the blood of Christ we now have boldness to enter the Most Holy Place. This is not boldness born of presumption, but born in humility where we recognize there is nothing we can do but enter into what Christ has already done. 

We cannot earn or take credit for having access to God. We can only come to Him through Jesus Christ. Neither do we doubt that we stand justified before God and have cleansing for our sins. This is our experience in the courtyard of God’s tabernacle, and it opens the door for us. With confidence we may enter and find the bread of His presence to sustain us, the oil of His Spirit to enable us, and the aroma of Christ to distinguish us. 

This path we have followed through the tabernacle was the route taken by Aaron and the priesthood on behalf of the people. The ordinary citizen did not come himself. The priest was his representative, and his action was vicarious. We take the same path for we come with the same need, but we have a much better priest. “Christ came as high priest… he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle…. He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood” (Hebrews 9:11-12). This does not need repetition by Him; it needs only appropriation by us. 

Though many people are familiar with this spiritual journey, the reality is that the Most Holy Place seems to be curtained off. The presence of God is still only a taste, the power of God rarely evident, and the purpose of God in restoring us to His image seems little more than wishful thinking. There were times when the offerings and sacrifices of the tabernacle did not please God. It had become routine; an obligation. The attitude to the ritual was the symptom of the people’s attitude toward God. They wanted His blessing, but had vested interests of their own and mingled the two, placing their needs first. 

We may say our prayers, read our Bibles, attend church, engage in service, and cling to “the old rugged cross”, but remain barren and empty. These are all valid and necessary, but like the rituals, they are not the substance of spiritual life, but an aid to it. It is not the cross, but Christ who saves. It is not our prayers, but God who hears us; not our service, but the power in which we serve that will be fruitful, and it is not our church, but the centrality of Christ in our everyday lives that will keep us in the Most Holy Place.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, I am greatly humbled to know that I am always in your presence. Thank You for everything You have done to make that possible. Amen 

TO REFLECT UPON: Am I dealing directly with Christ or hoping He will take notice of the things I do that I think will please Him?