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[.] Hebrews 10:19-20
I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. As such, I continue with one of the recommendations from the post to prepare for Holy Week, which is to read John Piper's 40-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #24: To Give Us Confident Access to the Holiest Place. Here, Piper describes how the instructions from God to Moses in Exodus 25:40 - and later referenced in the New Testament in Hebrews 8:5 - for how to build the tabernacle or tent of worship reveal how the Old Testament tabernacle served as a foreshadow for things to come later through Christ. Piper shares: "[j]ust as there were holy rooms in the tabernacle, where the priest repeatedly took the blood of the animal sacrifices and met with God, so there are infinitely superior “holy places,” as it were, in heaven, where Christ entered with his own blood, not repeatedly, but once for all." See also Hebrews 9:7, 11-12. The devotion then pivots to the implication, which is that whereas previously (in the Old Testament) only the Jewish priests could enter the most holy place in the tabernacle, now all who believe in Christ can "go with Christ into all the holiest places of God’s presence." In the OT tabernacle, the curtain protected the most holy place where the priest could enter the presence of the glory of God and upon Christ's death the curtain was torn (Matthew 27:51) allowing believers to enter the most holy places. We are referred to Hebrews 10:19-20 and Piper summarizes for us: "[w]ithout Christ the holiness of God had to be protected from us. He would have been dishonored, and we would have been consumed because of our sin. But now, because of Christ, we may come near and feast our hearts on the fullness of the flaming beauty of God’s holiness." Repent, believe and experience and enjoy the fullness of God's glory!
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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for giving me access to Yourself and the most holy places, and for saving a place in Heaven for me where I will meet You face to face. Incredible! I am not deserving of course as my sin continues. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom, energy and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.
