Freedom to Approach God

In Old Testament days, the Jewish people had constant and blatant reminders that their sin separated them from God. God manifested His holy presence above the ark of the covenant in the tabernacle and temple (Exodus 25:22). But if anyone casually attempted to approach Him there, they would die! In addition to the many, continual sacrifices necessary to maintain communion with Him, one very visible physical reminder of this separation was a large curtain. It sectioned off the Holy of Holies where God dwelt, from the rest of the temple and beyond, where men dwelt.

The vast divide between God and men could be crossed only by the high priest, once a year. During the Day of Atonement, through a series of rituals carefully followed, the high priest entered behind the curtain to atone for the nation’s sins.

What a blessing that the need for this centuries-old practice ceased at the death of Jesus Christ!

On the cross, Jesus cried out “It is finished” (John 19:30), breathed His last breath, and at that moment “the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51).

Jesus Christ was God in flesh, God with us. He brought Heaven to earth. He did what was necessary to restore access to our Creator. He rose from the grave and now sits at the right hand of God, interceding on behalf of those who have trusted in Him for salvation from sin and its consequence—spiritual death and eternity in Hell. He provided the way, instead, to eternal life.

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5 NIV).

Through Him, we have great freedom to go straight to the Father and receive forgiveness, salvation, and life everlasting. No sacrifices. No priest. No curtain. Just Jesus. He took the place of all those symbols of separation and bridged the great divide.

“In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV).

In one of his signature works, “The Pursuit of God,” A.W. Tozer wrote: “Ransomed men need no longer pause in fear to enter the Holy of Holies. God wills that we should push on into His presence and live our whole life there…It is more than a doctrine to be held; it is a life to be enjoyed every moment of every day.”

“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” (Hebrews 4:16).

—Tricia Kline