The Holy God Who is Approachable

Bible Reading: Hebrews 10:19–25

 

The overarching message of Leviticus is the holiness of God.  Again and again, God teaches His people that He is holy and that they, as sinful people, cannot approach Him casually.  His holiness demands reverence, obedience, and purity.

 

We see this vividly at Mount Sinai.  When God descended upon the mountain, the people were warned not to even come near it.  God asked Moses to set boundaries around Mount Sinai because God is holy, and sin is a serious barrier between God and man.

 

But in the New Testament Jesus said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest"(Matthew 11:28).  Jesus drew near people, asked the children to be brought to Him, and even the women with an issue of blood could touch the hem of His garment. 

 

Has God's holiness changed in the New Testament?  Absolutely not. 

 

The God of Leviticus is the same holy God revealed in the New Testament.  His character has not become less holy, nor has sin become less serious.  We must never confuse God's invitation to come near as permission to treat Him casually. We still approach Him with awe, reverence and godly fear.

 

Yet something glorious has changed—not in God, but in our position before Him.

 

Jesus Christ became the bridge between a holy God and sinful humanity.  At the cross, Jesus bore our sin and its penalty.  The barrier separating us from God was overcome through His sacrifice.  What we could never accomplish by our own righteousness, Christ accomplished for us.

 

Therefore, the same holy God, invites us to approach Him through Jesus. What an amazing invitation!  The sinner who has been forgiven does not have to stand at a distance.  Through Christ, we can draw near.  Hebrews tells us to "come boldly unto the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16).  Boldness does not mean familiarity or irreverence.  It means confidence—not in ourselves, but in the finished work of Christ.  We do not approach God boldly because sin is unimportant.  We approach Him because Jesus has paid the price for our sin.

 

My friend, the blood of Christ has opened the way for us into the presence of the Holy God.  What Sinai taught us about God's holiness, Calvary has answered with God's grace.  Let us come into His presence and touch the hem of His garment to receive our miracle today. 

 

Prayer: Holy God, thank You that I can draw near to You through Jesus Christ. Give me a holy fear, a grateful heart, and the confidence to come boldly before You through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

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