Confidence to Enter His Presence - March 31

Read Hebrews 4:14-16

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we don't have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Reflect

How do you feel when you come to God in prayer? Why do you feel that way?

Exodus 19 tells the story of God visiting Mount Sinai to give the Israelites the Ten Commandments. This is how the Lord told them to prepare for His coming: “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall be stoned or shot; whether beast or man, he shall not live’” (v. 10-13). On the third day, the Lord descended onto Mount Sinai with thunder, lightning, smoke, fire, loud trumpet blasts, and the whole mountain trembled…so did the people of Israel (Exodus 19:16-19).

Later, when the Lord told the Israelites to build Him a tabernacle, He instructed them to build an inner portion of the tent that would house the Ark of the Covenant. This room was called “The Holy of Holies” or “The Most Holy Place.” The presence of the Lord filled it so no one could enter that place and live. Only the High Priest could enter it to atone for the sins of the people and he could only do that once a year. Even the high priest had to carefully observe consecration rituals and enter the Lord’s presence reverently, exactly as God commanded or else he would die (See Exodus 28 and Leviticus 16).

The Holy of Holies was cordoned off from the rest of the tabernacle with a thick veil. It was very clear to everyone that their sins separated them from their holy God. They knew that only blood could atone for their sins and they relied on the High Priest to intercede for them and offer those sacrifices on their behalf.

But, we see such a contrast when we read today’s passage, don't we? Instead of approaching God with fear and trembling, the author of Hebrews says that we can approach Him confidently. How? Because in Jesus Christ, we have the perfect and final High Priest. In His flesh, He experienced human temptations, but He never gave in. He never sinned. He is perfect.

Hebrews 7:26-27 explains: “For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” When Jesus died on the cross, He paid the price for all of our sins!

This was so consequential that when Jesus died, the veil in the temple tore in half from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). Do you see the symbolism of that? Jesus’ blood atoned for our sins so that the barrier separating sinful man from our Holy God could be removed. Jesus made a way for us to confidently enter into the presence of God!

I don’t know about you, but sometimes I take it for granted that in order to communicate with God, all I have to do is pray and open the Scriptures. But the reality is, apart from Christ, I would not be able to do that. Without His blood covering me, my sin would still be a barrier between me and the Lord. I would not be able to stand in His presence. But thanks be to God, I can! But only because of my great High Priest, Jesus Christ!

Maybe the truth of your forgiveness hasn’t sunk in yet. Maybe you are still afraid of God, trembling and terrified to attempt to enter His presence because you know you aren’t worthy. Listen to me, if you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ, then you can boldly approach God’s throne and confidently expect to find grace, mercy, and help there.

Respond

Lord, what a gift that I can live with the confidence of knowing that my sins are covered by Christ, once for all! Help me to never take it for granted that I can boldly approach the throne of the Most High God, always assured that I will receive mercy, grace, and help whenever I need it. Amen.

Reveal

Do you know someone who is struggling to grasp the mercy, grace, and forgiveness of God? Find a version of the old hymn “Before the Throne of God Above” online and send the link to them. Assure them that “because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free, for God the Just is satisfied to look on Him and pardon me.”