John Chapter 10: Verse 9 (NIV)
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Hebrews Chapter 9: Verse 7 (NIV)
But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.
Hebrews Chapter 9: verses 11-12(NIV)
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
Under the old covenant, given to the people of Israel, only the High Priest could go into the holiest place in the Temple – the Holy of Holies, and only once a year after he had made the prescribed sacrifices, first for himself and then for the people.
Imagine we could only visit our family or friends under very restricted circumstances, and then only once a year. Remember what it was like in the height of the Covid pandemic when we couldn’t go in to people’s homes? It wasn’t a nice feeling and we did what we could so that we could spend time, however restricted, with those we love.
Jesus Himself taught that if we believed and trusted in Him, we would be able to come to God at any time. Not because we are any better than the people of the old covenant, but because Jesus, as our High Priest has fulfilled the conditions in the new covenant and if we accept that and apply that then we are free to come in to God’s presence ourselves. Anytime. Day or Night. We can have the ear of God. How amazing is that?
Dear Lord,
Thank You for the sacrifice made willingly by Jesus who gave Himself do that I could come into Your presence in the Holy Place at any time. May I never take that for granted. I ask in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.