We're reading the book of Hebrews in our Through the Bible in a Year program. Since Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians, it seems only logical that the writer would reconcile the sacrificial propitiation (appeasement) of both Judaism and the Christian faith.

The Jewish ritual by which someone could ask for God's mercy for their sin involved killing an innocent animal and asking a priest to burn it on an altar. We know that act was a symbolic one as the burned carcass of an animal is of no holy value to God. But the attitude in which someone offered it was very important. To be effective, the person requesting forgiveness must express remorse for their sin and be thankful for the means through which they can appeal to God.

For the Christian, there is no ritual to perform to ask for God's forgiveness of sins. Instead, we boldly access the throne of grace through the privilege granted us by Jesus. It's called prayer and there we have entry on the basis of Jesus' blood and righteousness. We are a priest in one sense because we can approach God without the need for anyone else on earth. But the Lord Jesus is our High Priest who is the only One worthy to appease God by His atoning work at Calvary for our sin.

What I'd like to bring to your attention now is the fact Jesus didn't approach the Father until he had won the right to be there. When he said on the cross, "It is Finished!" he completed the final act of the Father's requirement. When He arose from the grave, He carried with Him victory over sin, hell and the grave. When He walked into the presence of God Almighty the Hebrew's writer calls The Most Holy Place, He carried eternal redemption with Him. In effect, all He had to do was show up because the work was already done.

No doubt, Jesus' work in achieving forgiveness for our sin is a perfect paradigm. But in keeping with Hebrews 8:5, I'd like to offer a way to follow the pattern of what God has shown us. We do it through prayer.

How many times have you prayed without visualizing Jesus as the Bridge through which you have access to God? He is not only our Access, He is our Intercessor, ready and able to plead our case before the Father. Would you go to court where your life was in the balance without an advocate? Then, why do you do so when you pray?

Secondly, how many times have you approached God in prayer without any idea of what God has said concerning your "rights?" You should recognize what it is that gives you power to make petition. God doesn't need to be reminded, but you might!

Finally, how many times have you prayed and never known God's word in relation to what you're about to ask? Jesus already had sealed up redemption before He went in. Should you do any less?

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Ez. 18:1-19:14 Hb. 9:1-12 Ps. 106:32-48 Pr. 27:10 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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