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Hebrews 9.1-10
1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron’s staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail. 6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
When Susie and I lived in Southern California there was a great deal of construction done to create a new freeway, the 105. The purpose of the 105 freeway was to offer a quick and direct route from various points in the sprawling metropolitan area to the Los Angeles airport without having to take several side streets or use other routes that required drivers to use different freeways and highways.
The 105 freeway is just under 19 miles long, but it took 11 years to construct. During that time drivers had to navigate detours that were constantly changing as the work on the 105 was progressing. The construction was finally completed in 1993 finally giving travelers direct access to the Los Angeles airport.
I was thinking about direct access as I read this passage.
At the end of verse 10 from the passage, we get the main point that Hebrews has been hinting and driving at for some time, “…until the time of reformation.”
The point that Hebrews is making is that God has a master plan that He has always been carrying out where wickedness, evil, and the sinfulness of the entire world would be ultimately dealt with.
Going back to chapter eight and the quote from Jeremiah 31.31-34 (Hebrews 8.8-12), Hebrews has told us that this plan from the Lord has always been at work and there would come a day when it would be fully realized, when “all shall know me” (Hebrews 8.11).
This plan has been accomplished through Jesus the Messiah, through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Jesus has won the victory over sin and death, and forgiveness is accomplished and available to all who will simply come and entrust their lives to Jesus.
We now have a direct route straight to the throne of grace. Through Jesus, the long-awaited new covenant has been established, and we literally have unlimited access to the Heavenly Father since Jesus intercedes on our behalf (Hebrews 7.25).
But before we had direct access, we had a temporary process, using our road construction analogy—we had a system of detours that we needed to use to get us where we needed to go, the tent and the Temple.
But not now. Now, through Jesus, the road is wide open straight into the presence of God.
No detours are needed. All that’s required is that we simply come.
Jesus is our great high priest who has opened the way. All you need to do is trust Him and jump on that freeway.
And yet, many don’t. In fact, we often try and set up new rules and regulations, insisting on side roads and detours that often take us far away from the direct route that the Lord has purposed for all of us so that we can easily draw near to Him.
So what about you? What detours have you put in place that are taking you off the direct route either making it difficult to come to the Lord or are leading you away from Him?
God bless you and know that I am praying for you constantly.
Scott
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