Access to God

In some biblical stories a person could not approach a king unless invited. If they did and were rejected, they would die. Today, approaching a political leader is somewhat easier, at least in the free world. However, if I wanted a personal interview, I would need an appointment. Many politicians attempt to show voters they are accessible by public gatherings where they shake hands and kiss babies. But can God be approached like that?

Access to God was always a problem for the Jewish people. He told them: “You cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live.” (Exodus 33:20) Once each year, on the great Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the Jewish high priest entered into the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelt in a unique sense, to approach God on behalf of the people. Yet no one else could do that.

In the NT, Jesus came and offered His body as a sacrifice for mankind’s sins once for all, then sat down at the right hand of the Father:

He does away with the first in order to establish the second. And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:9–14)

That was a revolutionary concept to Jewish thinking. A priest on duty could never sit down because his work was never done. But Jesus introduced a new and wonderful element into the sacrificial system: one sacrifice, offered once, sufficient for all time. That was the basis of the New Covenant. Our Lord’s priesthood is permanent and perpetual. That’s the central message of the book of Hebrews:

“Behold, I have come to do your will.” but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:24–25)

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 8:1)

Since Jesus serves as our High Priest, we have access to God.

It wasn’t easy for the Jewish people to accept the need for a new covenant. Most rejected Christ outright. Similarly, many people today reject His priesthood, supposing they can gain access to God on their own terms. But they’re tragically mistaken. Jesus Himself said,

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

PRAY: Jesus, how can I say thank You enough for showing me, receiving me, giving me access to the very throne of God. I cannot see Your face, not yet, but You make Your presence known. Such a privilege and a wonder!

PONDER: The wonder of this, the new covenant:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:19–25)