The Old Covenant System
Under the Old Testament covenant, access to God was carefully regulated and restricted. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2). The thick veil in the temple symbolized the separation between holy God and sinful humanity. This system, while ordained by God, served to highlight humanity's inability to approach the divine presence because of sin.
The elaborate rituals, sacrifices, and priestly mediation all pointed to humanity's desperate need for reconciliation with God. Every barrier—from the bronze altar to the veil of the temple—reminded worshippers that sin creates separation and that approaching God requires proper atonement.
Christ Opens the Way
Everything changed through Jesus Christ's sacrificial death. Hebrews 10:19-20 declares that we now have "boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh." When Jesus died, Matthew 27:51 records that "the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom," symbolizing that the barrier between God and humanity was forever removed.
Christ became both our perfect sacrifice and our great High Priest. Unlike earthly priests who had to offer sacrifices repeatedly, Jesus offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27). Through His blood, we receive not just forgiveness but actual access to God's throne room. Ephesians 2:18 beautifully summarizes this truth: "through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."
Living in This Freedom
This access to God should transform how we approach prayer and worship. Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." The word "boldly" doesn't mean presumptuously, but with confidence rooted in Christ's finished work. We can approach God directly—no human mediator required—because Jesus has made us acceptable in the beloved.
This freedom should fill us with both gratitude and reverence. While we have intimate access to our heavenly Father, we must never forget the cost of this privilege. Let us therefore draw near with sincere hearts, knowing that what was once impossible for humanity has been made possible through Christ's perfect sacrifice.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:16