In the temple that God led his people to build during the Old Testament period, there were two parts: the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. The Holy Place had the bread of presence (Shewbread), the altar of incense, and the seven-branched candelabrum (menorah). This was the place where the priests performed their daily rituals to honor God. At the end of the Holy Place, there was a huge curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. The Most Holy Place was where the very presence of God resided. In there, the Ark of the Covenant was found. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place once a year to sprinkle the blood of the animals and offer incense upon the Ark of the Covenant for the forgiveness of sin of the entire nation. The high priest could not enter the Most Holy Place without sacrificing animals first for himself; if not, he would die in the presence of God. (https://youtu.be/Xt6lQAe8ues) – About the Old Testament Temple.
When Jesus died on the cross, the huge curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was torn into two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that we could now enter into the presence of God. Not only once a year, but every moment of our lives. Jesus did not only washed our sins away with His blood, but He gave us the way to enter the presence of God. Ephesians 3:12 says, "Because of Christ and our faith in Him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence." We do not need to perform any religious rituals because Jesus had done it in all for us. We can ask God for forgiveness every time we sin, and we can come before Him with our problems and struggles.
As Christians, we have direct access to God because of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. We can approach God with confidence because of what Jesus had done for us. Every time we pray, no matter where we are in our walk with God, He hears us because we are always welcome in His presence.
Ask yourself these questions: How did Jesus give me access to the presence of God? Do I believe that I have direct access to God? What does it mean to have direct access to God?
Write down all the worries that you are facing today and lift them up to God.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for sacrificing your life for me that I may come boldly to the presence of my Heavenly Father. Thank you for everything that you have done in my life. Please continue to change my heart and make me the person you want me to be. In your name, I pray. Amen.
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