The Basis of the New and Living Way

This evening I want to begin to look at a passage of scripture that we often read and that I referenced this morning. In the coming weeks we will look at the three duties of those who are living for Christ. However, verses 19 through 21 begin with a basis. We have to keep in mind that the letter to the Hebrews is written with a Jewish understanding.

In verse 19, the author of Hebrews makes mention of the holy places. There are likely other ways to break this down but Stanley Outlaw gives four limitations for entering the Holy of Holies based on Leviticus 16:

Only one man can enter.

He can only enter once a year on the day of atonement.

He could not enter without the blood of animals

Because the offering was ineffective, it had to be repeated every year.

This was the tradition that the people would have been accustomed to. But now, there is a new covenant and new opportunity.

The New Way allows us to enter God’s presence with boldness

The boldness that is referred to here is frankness, courage, and without fear especially in the presence of a person of authority. You and I, if we have been saved, have free access to the throne of God rather than previously having to go through the priest.

This boldness is something we have at all times, not just when we are fully living out His will. The fear for so many is that they would not be able to come to God and must fix the sin in their lives before coming to Him. However, this could not be further from the truth. It is by the blood of Jesus that we come before him.

How is it, then, that we are able to approach a holy God?

The New Way was made possible through Jesus’ death on the cross

There are two things mentioned here that we should keep in mind when it comes to Jesus' death on the cross. Keep in mind that the blood sacrifice was necessary under the old covenant. We are also reminded that a curtain has been opened through the breaking of the body of Jesus. What is behind the curtain? The path to heaven has now been cleared for those who place their trust in the blood of Christ.

Now, however, there is a way that has already been paved. It is new and living. The idea of new in the Greek was something that has been freshly sacrificed which is why the word living is also used to emphasize that fact that though Jesus was killed on the cross, he is still alive. A helpful reminder for us that the tomb is still empty today!

The New Way has given us a Great High Priest

John 10:16.

John 10:16 ESV

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

There is no longer a need for a priest to make atoning sacrifice on our behalf. We have a Great High priest who has already accomplished that.