Hebrews 10:19 “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
The book of Hebrews offers a welcome contrast for New Covenant believers that the Old Testament believers could only long to have. Just as Hebrews 10 invited New Covenant believers to draw near, the saints in the Old Testament were exhorted to stand back. As a matter of fact, in Exodus 19, at Mt. Sinai, God said to Moses, “10…go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments 11 and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 And you shall set limits for the people all around, saying, ‘Take care not to go up into the mountain or touch the edge of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall be put to death.”
Why is there such a contrast between the Old Testament and the New Testament? Why were the people in the Old Testament told to stand back, while the saints in the New Testament were invited to draw near? It is because the wrath of God was not fully satisfied until the sacrifice of Christ had been made. Once Christ had made atonement and become our propitiation, believers are now able to come into the Presence of God, because “…having been justified by faith, we have peace with God.” (Romans 5:1)
In the Old Testament, because the once for all sacrifice of Christ had not been made, the people were still covered with their sins and therefore unable to draw close to a Holy God. However, because Christ, the One “…who knew no sin became sin”2 Corinthians 5:21,) the righteousness of God has now been imputed to our account and we can draw near to God without fear of death!
The author of Hebrews is exhorting you to take advantage of this glorious position. He is inviting you to “…draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:22)
I would encourage you to do just that. Why? Because Christ has secured your position in the heavens. You are no longer judged by your sinful works, but by His sinless work!
