Access to God (Heb. 10:19–23. (115)
“Therefore”- Inasmuch as Christ’s satisfaction has removed every legal obstacle, there is not only nothing to hinder, but every reason and motive to induce us to draw near unto God and pour out our hearts before Him in thanksgiving, praise, and worship. In Heb. 4:16 we are invited to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need”; but here in Heb. 10:19–22 it is worship which is more specifically in view—entrance into “the holiest,” which was the place of worship and communion, see Num. 7:89. “Having therefore, brethren, boldness for entrance into the holiest,” that is, the Church can enter, which was not so under Judaism. Again, those under Judaism were afraid to do so, whereas faith now perceives that we may come to God with the fullest assurance because He has accepted us “in the Beloved” Eph. 1:6.
- “By the blood of Jesus.” This is the meritorious cause which procures the right to entrance into the “Holiest”—the place where all God’s grace and glory are displayed Heb. 9:3, 4. The blood of the Jewish sacrifices did not and could not obtain such liberty of access into the immediate presence of God. “The blood of Jesus has done so, both in respect unto God as an oblation, and in respect unto the consciences of believers by its application. As sacrifice, the atonement of Christ has removed every legal obstacle between God and believers. It fulfilled the demands of His law, removed its curse, and broke down the “middle wall of partition”; in token whereof, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom, when the Savior expired. The efficacy of the blood applied to our consciences has delivered us from a sense of guilt, freed from the dread of God, and enabled us to approach Him in a spirit of liberty.” Pink Arthur W
- “By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” v. 20. This presents to us the second inducement and encouragement for Christians to avail themselves and make use of the unspeakable privilege which Christ has secured for them. The highest privilege of fallen man is to have access unto the presence of God, his offended Lord and Sovereign: the only way of approach is through Christ, of whom the tabernacle (and the temple) was a type. Christ is here presented to our faith in a threefold view. First, as a gate or door, by which we enter into the Holiest. No sooner had Adam sinned, than the door of access to the majesty of God was bolted against him, and all his posterity, the cherubim with the flaming sword standing in his way Gen. 3:24. But now the flaming sword of justice being quenched in the blood of the Surety Zech. 13:7, the door of access is again wide open. The infinite wisdom of God has devised a way how His “banished” may be brought home again to His presence. 2Sam. 14:14, namely, through the satisfaction of Christ. Second, He is presented to us under the figure of “a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us.” “Having told us that we have ‘an entrance into the holiest,’ he now declares what the way is whereby we may do so. He describes this. 1. From the preparation of it:: ‘He hath consecrated.’ 2. From the properties of it: it was a ‘new and living way.’ 3. From the tendency of it, which he expresseth, first, with respect unto the old way under the tabernacle: it was ‘through the veil.’ Secondly, in an exposition of that type: ‘that is, His flesh.’ In the whole, there is a description of the exercise of faith in our access unto God by Christ Jesus” (John Owen). Here Christ is set forth more as the antitype of that “ladder” Gen. 28:12, Jn. 1:51, which, being set up on earth, reaches to heaven. Christ is “the Way, the Truth and the Life” Jn. 14:6, the only true “way” which conducts unto God. That “way” is referred to in as the “way of life” Prov. 10:17, “of holiness” Is. 35:8, “good way” Jer. 6:16, “way of peace” Lk 1:79, “way of salvation” Acts 16:17. This is the only path unto heaven. Christ is that “way” in a twofold sense: first, when the heart turns away from every other object which competes for the first place in its affections, abandons all confidence in its own righteousness, and lays hold of the Savior. Second, when grace is diligently sought to take Christ as our Exemplar, following “His steps” in the path of unreserved and joyful obedience to God.
