Hebrews 10:19-22

DISCOURSE: 2311
THE WAY OF ACCESS TO GOD THROUGH THE VAIL

Hebrews 10:19. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; and having an High-priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

MAN, by the fall, lost that intercourse with God which he had maintained in his state of innocence. The intent of Christianity is to restore him to the enjoyment of his privilege. Hence the inspired writers urge the great doctrines of the Gospel, not merely as truths which are to be believed, but as motives which are to animate and direct our conduct. The author of this epistle has set forth at large the correspondence between our blessed Lord, and the typical representations which were given of him under the Mosaic law. He now proceeds to the practical improvement of his subject. In the words before us he opens,

I. The grounds of our access to God—

They who are ignorant of their own extreme guilt and helplessness, imagine, that they can come to God without any mediator. But the Scriptures uniformly declare that the way of access to him is,

2. Through the atonement—

[The original way of access to God by the covenant of works was shut up for ever upon the first transgression. Nor does that typical way which was appointed under the law continue any longer. There is “a new way” now opened to us through the vail. The human nature of Christ was represented by the vail of the temple. At the very instant that his body expired upon the cross, the vail of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom [Note: Matthew 27:51.]. That being the precise time of the evening sacrifice, all the worshippers in the temple had a perfect view of the holy of holies. Thus an intimation was given to them, that, by the rending of Christ’s body, the way into the most holy place was opened indiscriminately to all. As the high-priest went into the typical sanctuary with the blood of the sacrifice, so might all from henceforth go into the very heaven of heavens, as it were, with the blood of Jesus. This way was now “consecrated for them” by Jesus himself. It was a new way, not only because it was different from that which had existed before, but because it should never wax old or vanish as the other had done [Note: Hebrews 8:13.]. And it was a living way, because, while the former way prohibited access to all, except the high-priest, under the penalty of death, this infallibly imparts life to all who come to God in it.]

2. Through the intercession of Christ—

[The Church of God is that “house” which the temple of Solomon prefigured. In it God dwells in a more immediate manner than he ever did by the Shechinah upon the mercy-seat [Note: 2 Corinthians 6:16.]. Christ, as the great High-priest, presides over this house. He is gone with his own blood into the holy of holies [Note: Hebrews 9:12.]. He is there sprinkling it on our behalf in the presence of his heavenly Father. There also is He offering the incense of his continual intercession. Under the law, the hopes of the Israelites were founded on the intercession of their high-priest. In vain was the sacrifice killed, if its blood was not carried within the vail: and in vain would it be carried thither, if it were not sprinkled before the mercy-seat, and accompanied with the clouds of incense. Thus not even the death of Christ is, of itself, a sufficient warrant for us to draw nigh to God. But his intercession added to it gives us boldness, and access with confidence [Note: Hebrews 7:25.]. We may go to God upon this ground as to a reconciled father. Nor need any sinner whatever deem himself too unworthy to approach his throne. All are now constituted priests unto God [Note: 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6.]. And all who bring the blood of Christ with them, and rely on his prevailing intercession, shall surely find acceptance with him.]

There is however something further which the worshippers of God must attend to, namely,

II.

The manner in which we should approach him—

Christians are not to go to God with a rude and inconsiderate familiarity. They should consider the majesty of Him before whom they come; and should draw near to him with,
A sincere heart—
[To go before God and declare things which we neither feel nor believe, is to mock and insult him. If our confessions be without humility, our petitions without fervour, and our thanksgivings without gratitude, how is it possible that God should hear us? If we draw nigh to him with our lips while our hearts are far from him, we worship him in vain [Note: Matthew 15:8.]. To have imbibed true notions, is not sufficient. God requires truth in our inward parts [Note: Psalms 51:6.]. And they alone can worship him acceptably, who worship him in spirit and in truth [Note: John 4:24.]

An assured faith—
[When we go to God in prayer, we should not doubt whether He be willing to accept us. We should be thoroughly persuaded that “Christ is the way, the truth, and the life [Note: John 14:6.];” and that he will save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him. To be assured of our own personal interest in him is not necessary. But we should have the most assured belief of the sufficiency of his atonement and intercession. Nor should we limit his power and grace under an idea of our own unworthiness. To ask with a doubtful mind, is to cast a reflection upon him at the very time that we are imploring his favour. And we are warned by God himself that such wavering petitions never shall prevail [Note: James 1:6.]

A good conscience—
[The conscience of every man has been more or less defiled. Nor could the offerings under the law perfect a man with respect to it [Note: Hebrews 9:9.]. But the blood of Jesus will cleanse it from its defilement [Note: Hebrews 9:14.]. And, if we heartily endeavour to keep it void of offence in future, we shall enjoy the testimony of a good conscience [Note: 2 Corinthians 1:12.]. But if we live in the habitual neglect of any duty, or the allowed commission of any sin, we shall have an evil and accusing conscience. It is necessary therefore that our hearts be purged from the guilt of sin by the sprinkling of Christ’s blood, and from the love and practice of sin by his Spirit. Without this we can never approach God with comfort or acceptance. We shall stand self-condemned as hypocrites. And every petition we offer will appear a solemn mockery of God. We must therefore have our hearts purified from all habitual and allowed sin. Nor unless we have, can we hope for any answer of peace unto our souls [Note: Proverbs 28:9; Psalms 66:18.]

An holy conversation [Note: The last clause of the text might properly begin the next verse; in which case it must be referred to our baptismal washing, and the solemn engagements consequent upon it.]—

[As our inward principle must be pure, so must also our outward practice be. The priests washed their flesh before they went within the vail, to denote the purity which was required of them by God [Note: Leviticus 16:4.]. Thus must we also be careful to possess that purity, if we would approach him with acceptance. Not that our sanctity of heart and life will procure us favour in his sight. The only grounds of our acceptance have been before stated. But there is a meetness for the enjoying of his benefits. And if we possess not that meetness, in vain shall we expect the benefits themselves.]

Application—

[Some may ask, What shall I do, seeing I possess not these requisites? Shall I stay away from the throne of grace entirely? We answer, No; if we cannot ask as we ought, we should ask as we can. God will assist us if we endeavour to serve him aright; and will impart to us those holy dispositions, that shall qualify us for the reception of his richest blessings. Let us then thankfully improve the liberty he has afforded us. Let us see the vail now rent asunder, and behold our God upon his mercy-seat. Behold, his address to every one of us is, Draw nigh to me, and I will draw nigh to you; cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts, ye double-minded [Note: James 4:8.]. In obedience to his command, let us surround his throne with fervent importunity. Let us ask for mercy and grace to help us in every time of need [Note: Hebrews 4:16.]; and so open our mouths wide before him that He may fill and satisfy us with good things [Note: Psalms 81:10.]. Thus shall we enjoy the sweetest fellowship with him in this world; and shortly be admitted to his more immediate presence in the world to come.]