Meditationen am Gnadenstuhl: Ester Wednesday - Hebrews 10:19-25

Wednesday after Easter

Dail Lectionary Readings: Exodus 16:13-35; Hebrews 10:19-39; (Sirach 35)

Hebrews 10:19-25:

[19] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, [20] by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, [21] and since we have a great priest over the house of God, [22] let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. [23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

The Open Way

Worshiping in confidence, secure in the knowledge that Christ gives us access to holy things (the Means of Grace), is God-pleasing. He wants us to draw near and receive these things. No mere animal sacrifice that only keeps one in the covenant, the blood of Christ removes all sin and solves the problem of sin once and for all.

v.20 Christ's incarnation, death, and resurrection inaugurate this new covenant. The way is now open through "the veil." Seated at the right hand of God, we have Jesus installed as our great high priest whom God has set over His house, the church. The veil was established with the building of the tabernacle and later also the temple. For centuries, this veil kept people out of the sight of the most holy place, where God came down to dwell upon the mercy seat. This curtain was torn from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death. We are told that this veil is a symbol of His flesh.

v.21-22 The preacher exhorts the congregation of Roman Hebrews that, because Jesus is our great high priest, we should all draw near to Him, our direct access to God, now possible as the blood of Christ has made us holy, and therefore able to approach that which is holy. In Greek, the phrase “let us draw near” was used to call people to worship. Recall that this book is a single sermon, and one of the preacher’s main themes is that Christian life is centered on the Divine Service.

v.22 Our own experience tells us that these things are true. In Holy Baptism, the Holy Spirit makes our conscience clean and removes the guilt of sin. Unlike the old covenant, which could not remove sin. Therefore, we know the comfort of having been sanctified.

v.23-24 For almost four chapters, the preacher has been explaining a great deal of doctrine because he has doctrinal concerns for the congregation: That they may be becoming "spongy" about their confession of faith. Many entered into the new covenant by faith but have become unsure that the new covenant was sufficient. Some even chose to return to the old covenant and resume participation in the sacrifices at the temple. The cause of all this is a lack of understanding of the doctrine of the new covenant. Recall chapter six, where the preacher pointed out they had the foundation, but they were not progressing to a deeper understanding. Therefore, they had a need for a basic introduction to the doctrines of the faith – milk, not meat. The danger of not progressing to spiritual maturity is succumbing to the devil's trap. We might get into false worship or begin to convince ourselves that our works must be involved to be sure of our justification. We may even find ourselves following a false god. Doctrine is defense. The fight against Satan is not ours alone to fight. This is the exhortation to be a congregation – stimulating one another to sacrificial works for our neighbor, encouraging one another when we struggle or are discouraged and at our weakest. This promotes spiritual growth and moves us away from sin. Together we hear God's truth and that nothing is missing.

v.25 The preacher urges the Hebrews not to forsake the gathering as some of these early Christians had by returning to old covenant doctrine and practice. So what is the importance of gathering as a congregation and building one another up in love? The preacher tells us this is especially important as they see the "day drawing near." This is the great and terrible day of our Lord's return.