On this Sabbath we begin worship with:
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 . . .
How often do we do anything with confidence? Do you trust your latest decision, action, or purchase? Has COVID not filled our life with a series of daily concerns? Did we wash enough? Are they sitting far enough away? Will my company survive the pandemic? Will the vaccine work?
But in this verse the confidence is not in ourselves or our circumstances. It is in our Savior. He has opened a new way to the very mercy set of God. His blood. His righteousness. He has accomplished what was necessary.
That said, the verse does command us to do something. We are not to be idle or passive. We must “ draw near”. And that we must do it with a “true”(alēthinos) heart.
The idea here is that what is on the outside is the same as what is on the inside. Recently a cruel picture of a Krispy Kreme box of donuts was circulated on social media, which when opened revealed celery and carrots all neatly arranged complete with a side of ranch dressing!
Unlike that, we should make our approach being sincere in our preparation. As you worship today, take this moment to align your heart for the task that was so important that the blood of our savior Jesus Christ was spilt.
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