The Cross Makes It Possible For Me To Draw Near

The Cross Makes It Possible For Me To Draw Near

We can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. This is the new, life-giving way that Christ has opened up for us through the sacred curtain, by means of his death. Let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him. –Hebrews 10:19-22

First class is nice when you’re up front, but there’s something annoying about it when you’re not—especially when the flight attendant snaps the curtain in place to create a barrier between the privileged few and us peons in coach. Scripture describes a more significant curtain that kept everyone except the high priest out of the Tabernacle’s Holy of Holies, where the glory of God dwelled. Literally, no one was good enough to enter because of the offense of their sin. This curtain kept us all out.

But when Christ breathed his last breath on the cross, “the curtain in the Temple was torn in two” (Matthew 27:51). Now we are invited to enter into the holy presence of God, not because we’ve earned the right, but because Christ has credited his righteousness—or rightness—to us. What an invitation! Not only can you now approach the Creator of the universe, you can also make your home with him and share your heart and your hurts with him. You have the opportunity to get to know God himself! So what is keeping you from it?

Do you think that an intimate relationship with God is something that other people experience but something you can never really expect to experience for yourself? Do you think you just aren’t “one of those people” meant to have a meaningful relationship with God? Do you think an intimate relationship with Christ is only for those who always do the right thing, those who never fall into sin, those who seem to have it all together?

He’s forgiven you and given you his own holiness. He wants to know you. Christ has set you free from failure, guilt, and shame so that you can be bold enough to get to know God intimately. Wouldn’t it be a shame to waste one more year, one more month, one more day on the fringes of real relationship with God because you’ve believed the lie that you are not good enough or not welcomed enough to boldly approach God and get to know him?

My Barrier Breaker, you have opened the way for me to approach and know God intimately. Keep drawing me close so that I can leave behind my guilt and shame and know the comfort and confidence of life in your presence.

DIGGING DEEPER