Weekend Devo — Basking in the Light

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. — Hebrews 10:19-22

In my reading this week, I came across this piece of Scripture and my notes in the margin. One of my favorite things in the Bible, and in books in general, is the use of symbolism. And this is one of the richest ones.

Within the Holy Place, a curtain sealed the Most Holy Place from view. There also resided the Ark of the Covenant (also known as the Mercy Seat). A priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to offer sacrifice for the nation's sins. This one time a year represented man's permission to come into the presence of God.

And if you recall, on the day of Christ's crucifixion, this curtain was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing the elimination of a barrier between God and his people. Christ had become our curtain, and he too was torn from top (his crown of thorns) to bottom (the nails in his feet).

Christ made it possible for us to be in God's presence all the time by making the final sacrifice that would permanently cleanse us from our sins. I don't know about you, but that gives me the best kind of chills.

Our God loves us that much. The curtain's been pulled back to let in the light. I hope you'll go bask in it.

Praying and believing,
Dineen