Tuesday Thought -- March 19, 2013

Good Morning Friends,

“A tabernacle was set up. In its first room were the lampstand, the table and the consecrated bread; this was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place. When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 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. The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.” (Hebrews 9:2-3; 6-9)

Before Jesus came, there were places not even the priests could go. The Most Holy Place, representing the very presence of God, was restricted. Access to it was limited in time – it could be entered only once a year. It was limited in person – only one man could enter that place, the High Priest. It was limited in manner – the High Priest could only enter it according to the strictest procedure, only carrying the blood of a sacrifice.

A marvelous thing happened at the very time of Jesus’ death: the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was ripped in two from top to bottom. Jesus entered into the Most Holy Place, the very presence of the Father, carrying His own blood, and the way into that presence was opened to all men, once and for all time. Access is no longer limited in time – the way is always open to people. Access is no longer limited in person – everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord can enter. Access is no longer limited in manner -- Jesus has already offered the one sacrifice fit for all time, and in His name we can freely enter with empty hands.

How sad that there are those in the world – many of them – who still believe access to God is so limited. If they only knew the way to God is open through Jesus. What a marvelous, miraculous privilege we enjoy!

His, by Grace,

Steve