Communion With God: Hebrews 10:19-22
“19) Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20) by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21) and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22) let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:19-22
The priests in the Old Testament were fearful to enter the holy places to offer their daily sacrifice. It is said that they put bells on them so they could hear them moving about and tied cords to them in the event a wrong move or some impurity proved deadly. This was compounded even more by the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies once a year. Entering the presence of God was a fearful and sometimes deadly thing.
Such was the case of Zacharias the father of John the Baptist as recorded in Luke 1:5-23. His delay caused serious concern by the people. They feared for his life. Little did they know the encounter he was having with God.
But we have a new and living way based on a better sacrifice. We enter through the blood of Jesus. As a result we can come before God with confidence and assurance that we are accepted. Our hearts have been sprinkled clean from guilt and an evil conscience. Our bodies have been washed clean.
To those who understand this text, it becomes the basis of a powerful life of prayer and worship. Every believer has instant and continual access to God’s presence. He is not restricted to a temple, He is omnipresent. The mystery of prayer in the Spirit is that we are lifted to the very throne room of God in the heavenly realm.
This text couples well with Hebrews 4:14-16. Those who are born again and know Jesus as Savior and Lord can enter boldly before the throne of grace. We are invited to draw near with confidence.
One indication of a truly Spirit filled man or woman shows up in their prayer and worship. They know and practice communion with God through His Spirit. They begin to dwell in the shelter of the Most High and abide in the shadow of the Almighty. (Psalm 91:1)
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
