Daily Devotional

In the Old Covenant, the temple in Jerusalem had a veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place – the Holy of Holies.  I always thought the veil simply represented the holiness of God.  He is absolutely set apart.  He is utterly removed from sinful man, and no sinner can enter his presence. “Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil…” (Hab 1:13).

But the author of Hebrews opened my eyes.  Yes, the veil represents the barrier between the Holy God and sinful man. But that barrier is more than symbolic.  That barrier is the distance Jesus traveled to save us.  It’s the unfathomable breach between heaven and earth: “we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God…” (v. 14).
 
Not only did Jesus pass through the heavens to come to earth (the incarnation), he passed through the heavens to return to the Father (the ascension).

The role of a High Priest is to function as the Mediator between God and man.  That’s why Jesus is the Great High Priest.  As a man, he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses.  As a man, he was temped in every way, just as we are – yet without sin.  As God, he is able to forgive us, cleanse us of guilt and shame, and bring us into his holy presence: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (v. 16).

Today, meditate on the fact that we have such a Great High Priest!  Think about the distance he traveled and the depths to which he stooped to save us.  Think also about his victory – his resurrection, ascension, and High Priestly ministry in heaven.  At this very moment, he is interceding for you (Heb 7:25).  And because of him, the veil has been torn and we can come boldly into the presence of the Holy God.  What a privilege!  Let’s not waste it.

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