Holy Thursday Epistle Reading — Hebrews 10:15-25
Ever thought about how terrifying it would be to stand before God? In all His perfect holiness?
In the Old Testament, God warned that anything unclean touching Mount Sinai would die.
In the tabernacle, only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies once a year. Otherwise? Death.
Yet when we gather to hear God’s Word and receive His sacrament, we also do it with reverence but also with peace and joy. Why?
Because of what Hebrews 10 tells us:
“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… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.”
The blood of Christ has opened God’s presence to you.
His perfection covers you.
His Holy Spirit lives in you.
You can approach with a clean conscience.
But what about when you sin?
Christ washed you in baptism, and His Spirit has brought you to repentance and faith.
You approach God with reverent fear but also peace, knowing Christ’s blood covers you.
This is the joy of gathering together — not just another obligation.
We get to enter the presence of the holy God who created everything!
He actually hears our prayers. And we can praise Him because of all He gives us.
Remember when Jesus died and the temple curtain tore from top to bottom?
That gave access to the Holy of Holies. That’s what you have now.
You can go directly to God through faith in Christ, with His blood covering all your sins.
Contributor Merritt Demski is the Pastor at St. John’s in Alta, Iowa.
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