Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10.19-25
What a joy it has been this week to enter the Most Holy Place in prayer! It is always a joy to do this and it is of course our privilege as believers to do this at any time and in any place but there is a special blessing when we meet and pray together. Why is it possible? Because a new and living way has been opened for us by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
We can come, the writer to the Hebrews tells us in the passage above, with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
It is though, not just that we can come, but we must come. He pleads, as it were, ‘Let us draw near’ to receive the blessings that our God longs to give. We are called to be active, to be intentional in this, not leaving it to others but coming together (v.25) so that we do not miss out on the blessings of being part of the body.
In v.19 he speaks of the fact that we can do this confidently because of what God has done for us in Christ and he is not alone in articulating that great truth. Hear how Paul puts it in Romans 8.23
He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Brothers and Sisters infinite riches are available to those who heed the word and draw near. May we each find those riches today both individually and corporately as we join in the CFC Week of Prayer.