Reading Plan:
Hebrews 10:19-39

Our Thoughts:
Growing up in South Mississippi, hospitality and that small-town community feeling was a given. Whenever my family and I would arrive at someone's house to visit, we would always knock on the door or ring the doorbell. Then from somewhere inside the house (usually the kitchen) would come the familiar phrase, "Come on in!" At that point, we knew the door was open to us. All we had to do was open it, walk in, and enjoy the hospitality found inside.
That's precisely the point the author of Hebrews is trying to make in today's reading.
Here's the picture the author's been building up to for the past ten chapters of the book of Hebrews: to the people of Israel in the Old Testament, the "holy places" (v19) was the dwelling of God Himself. It was the center of the Old Testament tabernacle, and it held the Ark of the Covenant, which the Hebrews saw as God's very throne.
Needless to say, the "holy places" was a pretty legit place.
But the problem with the tabernacle system was that it was designed in such a way that people couldn't approach God's presence. There was one thing in particular - the curtain, mentioned in verse 20 - that kept normal people like me and you on the outside of where all the action was. That curtain was supposed to remind the Israelites of the guards protecting the way back to Eden. Essentially, it's saying, "because you are sinners and God is holy, there is no entry through here." At least, not without a great sacrifice and a great priest.
Well, that is at least until the writer of Hebrews pens verse 19 of chapter 10. He speaks into this whole tabernacle system and says, "Come on in!" It's extraordinary. Hebrews is saying we can walk with confidence into the presence of a Holy God.
You can almost imagine the Old Testament priests appalled, running along behind us with their robes saying, "You can't go in there! Are you even Jewish?"
"Nope," we say.
"Well, where's your sacrifice? I don't see a sacrifice. And where's your priest? You need a priest!"
We turn with a smile. "I have a sacrifice. He gave everything for me, even His very life. His blood covers my sin and puts me into a right relationship with the Father, who is right behind this curtain. And the sacrifice just so happens to be my priest. But not any priest. He's my High Priest, sitting at the right hand of the Father giving witness to my relationship with Him. So if it's alright with you, I'll just go ahead and walk on in."
This is the message of Hebrews: we can have full assurance that comes from faith. When we see Jesus, arms open on the cross, we see just how approachable He really is. He assures us that we can draw near to Him and can trust Him. And it's with this full assurance that we can pursue a relationship with Him and His Church. We come together, as a family, as the Body of Christ, to step beyond that curtain and come face to face with the Father.

More Questions:
What does it mean to "draw near to God?" How can we do that in our everyday lives?
Do you feel that the curtain has been torn for you in your life, or do you feel distant from God? How can you begin to see Jesus tear the curtain in your life & bring you into the presence of the Father?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank you that you are the better Sacrifice, the better High Priest, and the better Tabernacle. What the old system could only do in part, you do in whole. Thank you for tearing curtains and for drawing near to us so that we can draw near to You. I give my whole heart over to you today. In Jesus' name, amen.

Author: Blake Houston