Truth #7 - You can approach the Lord boldly.
Just so you know, in preparation for this one, I was in tears. I have been reading and studying in the Old Testament this year like never before. The knowledge I've gained has been priceless. I now realize so much more about different things such as circumcision and various sacrifices. Most of all, I understand more about the "heart" behind it all. The symbolism that can be seen from one testament to the next is breath-taking! If you have neglected the Old Testament, like I did for so long, I implore you to get into it!! But, I digress.......
What I really want to show you comes from Ephesians 3:12 -
"In Him we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him." (the "Him" there being Jesus)
The wonderful, magnificent, broken body of our Lord, Jesus Christ, changed our standing before God forever!
Let's look further -
In the Old Testament, in Exodus 35 - 36; 39:1-31; and Leviticus 1 - 9, you can read all about the Tabernacle that the Israelites carried with them from place to place. I won't attempt to even begin to tell you all about it, but I do want to tell you about the Holy of Holies, or the Most High Place, that was housed within the Tabernacle.
The Holy of Holies held the very presence of Almighty God. Entering there literally meant entering into His glory. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only on one day a year, the Day of Atonement. Before his entrance, he had to meticulously prepare, making sure his own sins were covered. This day was extremely sacred, as the high priest pleaded for the forgiveness of the people's sins.
There was a veil that shielded the Holy of Holies, protecting the awesomeness of God's presence from the ugliness of sinful men. The Lord's presence was never to be entered into flippantly or with irreverence. If a high priest did enter that way, if his sins were not covered, he would die.
Now let's jump to the New Testament and read Mark 15: 37-38 as the Messiah, on the cross, took His last breath:
"And Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His life. And the curtain [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom." (Amplified Bible)
This is pretty much the point that my tears of gratefulness started overflowing.
Do you see it?!
Jesus made a way for us, those whose sins have been forgiven, to enter into the very presence of God!!! We don't need a high priest...Jesus, in those precious moments on the cross, became our high priest, once and for all!
Read in Hebrews with me:
"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner, because He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek." (6: 19-20)
If your sins are forgiven and you are a child of the Most High, the Bible says there is no condemnation for you (Rom 8:1). Yes, there should be a healthy reverence for the Lord. Yes, you should go before Him realizing He is God, the Creator of all there is! However, there is no reason whatsoever to be timid or scared when approaching Him with your needs, your petitions, or your yearning to just "be" in His presence.
Jesus took care of that for you.
You can go boldly.
Hallelujah!!!!!!
Linking up at:
A Pause on the Path, Growing Home, Beholding Glory, Women Living Well, A Wise Woman Builds Her Home, and Raising Homemakers
