A New and Living Way

In our daily readings, we have traveled through the book of Leviticus, and it was overwhelming at times to read about the unbelievable detail regarding temple sacrifice. It is obvious that God’s way of atonement was through the shedding of blood. I am thankful that we do not have to go through the ritual of finding a blemish-free ram or goat to slaughter for a burnt offering.

It was interesting to go back and read Hebrews 8, 9, 10, and 11 after reading Leviticus. Hebrews was one of the first books we read in the Word of God for the People of God daily Bible readings. As I read the commands of the Lord for the temple sacrifices, I kept wondering why God would go to such great lengths to indicate each detail regarding the temple, the sacrifices, the priestly garments, etc. I wrote about this a couple of weeks ago in an article entitled “Master Designer.” In Hebrews 8, we find the answer to why God was so particular about the design and functions of the Tabernacle that He described in Leviticus. Hebrews 8:5 says: “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in Heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the Tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”

The explanation continues in Hebrews 9: When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, He went through the greater and more perfect Tabernacle that is not man-made…He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once and for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; He entered Heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did He enter Heaven to offer Himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not His own. But now He has appeared once and for all to take away the since of many people. (v. 11.12, 24)

This priest offered for all time one sacrifice for sins and then sat down at the right hand of God. Therefore, according to Hebrews 10, we have a new and living way opened for us through the curtain (the body of Jesus) who is also our high priest. Our invitation is to “draw near” to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, since our hearts have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to cleanse us from a guilty conscience. (Heb. 10:20-21) Thank you Lord for Your sacrifice once and for all. We praise You for Your incredible provision! We remember Your broken body and shed blood for us and we rejoice that we can draw near to You with full assurance of faith!

Let us draw near to the throne, let us draw near
The Father welcomes His own, let us draw near
Our hearts are sprinkled with blood
Cleansing is here,
Let us draw near to the throne, let us draw near!