Entering The Holy Of Holies
The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish believers living in Israel before the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. Many of those who had believed in Jesus as their Lord and Messiah were wavering in their faith and some had even returned to the religion and traditions of their forefathers. The purpose of writing this letter was to show how everything in the Old Covenant pointed to Christ and the He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Because the Hebrew believers were indigenous to their culture, little explanation was given to the terminology used to explain Christ’s supremacy over their religion.
The Church in the 21st century is quite removed from the ceremonies and sacrifices of the Jewish religion prior to the diaspora, but through this wonderful book, we can see how the message of the Gospel has been woven throughout all of Israel’s history. God’s plan is to bring all of fallen mankind to Himself. He chose Israel as a vessel by which this message could reach around the world. God entered into a Covenant with Israel to reveal His faithfulness. He gave them the Law to show them His righteousness. He required blood sacrifices to indicate how sin would be forgiven and the people could be justified. Incense was used in worship to show how their prayers would ascend up to Heaven. Bread became a means of showing how communion was internal and to be an intimate relationship with God. The holiest place of all, the Holy of Holies, was God’s Presence. Sin could not enter there and so a veil was placed to keep the profane out. The priests were to be as mediators, representing God to man and man to God. Though it was a complex system, all pointed to Christ.
The book to the Hebrews explains how Jesus, our High Priest, shed His blood for the forgiveness of sins and that through faith in Him we have access to the presence of Almighty God. Before, man was estranged, but now he is brought close; he was lost and now is found. The veil, which in Hebrews 10:20 is Jesus’ flesh, was broken, just as the bread, (His Body), was broken, opening the way for renewed fellowship with the Father. He invites us to come in with confidence. Jesus made us holy. He made us righteous. It is His work only and there is no other way.
As the writer of the book of Hebrews said to the Jewish Christians of the first century, so God is saying to us today: “Draw near to God, hold fast your confession, stir up one another to good works and don’t neglect the gathering together as His Body.” The Day of His coming is drawing near, so don’t give up. The righteous will live by faith.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Heb. 9:22; 10:19-38; 12:1-2; Eph. 2:8