'Confidence in Christ'

figures such as Moses and Melchizedek, the role of high priests, and the structure of the Temple itself. This week’s focus brings us to the design of the Temple, particularly the Holy of Holies—the innermost sanctuary representing the very presence of God.

Hebrews 10:19–22 says: “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.” This is one of the boldest truths in the New Testament: because of Jesus, we can draw near to God with confidence. Not with fear, not with guilt, not with shame—but with confidence.

To appreciate how incredible this is, we need to understand the Jewish Temple system. At its center was the Holy of Holies—a sacred space separated by a thick curtain. Only the high priest could enter it once a year (Ex 26:33–34), bringing a blood offering for the sins of the people. The High Priest wore an ornate breastplate: “There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.” (Ex 28:21). The High Priest represented and took in with him the entire nation of Israel. In that moment, not only the High Priest, but all of Israel came into the sacred presence of God.

But when Jesus died on the cross, something earth-shaking happened: “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mt 27:50–52). Jesus took us into the Holy of Holies—into the very presence of God. That torn curtain wasn’t a physical problem—it was a spiritual breakthrough. The wall between God and humanity came down. Jesus, as our great high priest, made the ultimate sacrifice and opened the way. Now, anyone—at any time—can come into God’s presence.

Andy Weir called this a kind of “democratization of religion”—the sacred no longer limited to an elite few. Anyone, at any time, can “draw near to God” in an unmediated relationship. Jesus flung the doors wide open. We’ve been cleansed, forgiven, and welcomed.

Romans 5:1–2 says it this way: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access… into this grace in which we now stand.” Access. Peace. Grace. Jesus is both the starting point and the center of our relationship with God. Imagine Jesus grabbing your hand, walking into the throne room, and saying, “Father, I brought my friend, ___. They're with me.” So we’ve been welcomed in—completely. Heb 10:39: “We are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith...”

“When you go to the Lord in prayer, you can have “confidence to enter the Most Holy Place.” (Heb 10:19)

Blessings,

Jonathan