This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 6:19-20, NLT*

The hope this verse mentions is the hope of our salvation, of eternal life in restored relationship with God.

Think about the Temple imagery for a minute: only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year. First he offered sacrifices for his own sins, and then, once clean, for the sins of the people.

There were special clothes to wear, special rituals of preparation. I’m told his robes had bells, and he wore a rope around one ankle in case he committed an offense and was struck dead, so the other priests could pull him out.

This was a big deal.

And now, Jesus has gone into this place of most intimate communion with God, once for all to atone for our sins… and once we’ve received this we’re invited through the curtain ourselves.

Into God’s inner sanctuary. Into His presence. With no guilt, no fear of destruction. What a gift is ours!

Holy and righteous God, we could never be worthy to even crawl into Your presence by our own merit, but You have made a way to wash us clean so we can come to You boldly and with confidence—and with reverent fear. Thank You for restoring us, for loving and rescuing us. Let us not neglect the privilege of spending time with You.

∞

Our song is “Because of Your Love,” sung by Paul Baloche, written by Brenton Brown

*New Living Translation (NLT) Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.