You probably don’t find it remarkable that you are able to pray and so approach God. Immersing ourselves in the Old Testament however, can, once again, teach us of the great miracle that is called prayer.

Our God is holy and awesome, unapproachable for sinners such as you and I⤒🔗

The Lord God dwelt among his people in the tabernacle and temple, but a deep chasm remained. Curtains restricted access to his throne. And the normal Israelite did not have the heart to bypass them.

Only priests were allowed to enter the holy place, the only people allowed to approach. This too was limited. Once a year it was the high priest who entered the Holy of Holies to sprinkle blood on the atonement cover.

The blood on God’s throne was a conclusion to the endless stream of blood occurring in the forecourt, which made approaching the holy God possible. Blood, which spoke of blotting out, forgiveness "on credit." Hebrews 9:8 is so clear: "The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed...." Everything was waiting for the Messiah, who would bring true atonement and reconciliation.

Right of speech←⤒🔗

Recently I carefully read through the letter to the Hebrews again. It struck me how often the words "draw near" occur. The author encourages disheartened Christians to persevere (Hebrews 10:36; 12:1) and points to the amazing privilege they have of entering the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). Those words are the pure and glorious gospel that the author wishes to impress upon the hearts of these Christians.  They are experiencing difficulties, even the threat of apostasy, yet they are permitted to approach God’s holy throne. The way is open, the curtains that separated them from God have been removed, and animal blood is no longer required, because Jesus has come, the eternal High Priest, and through his sacrifice "he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy" (Hebrews 10:14), so that they are able to draw near to God.

Our Saviour had to travel a difficult route to make all this possible: namely, the route of the Law of Moses. An atonement sacrifice had to be brought on Golgotha, but just as the Old Testament high priest did, he had to bring the sacrifice to God’s holy throne. Yes, Jesus did this as well. He entered the heavenly inner sanctuary (Hebrews 6:20), and so obtained eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:12).

Thus we are able to truly "draw near" when we pray. The way to God’s throne has been opened unequivocally by the blood of Jesus. This is the great privilege for us as New Testament believers. We are allowed to be "online" with our heavenly Father. That which under the old dispensation was still "on credit" is now a gracious privilege apportioned to us through the work of our Redeemer. We now have the "confidence" to enter the heavenly sanctuary, we have the right of speech at God’s throne.

Experienced expert←⤒🔗

It is noticeable that the author of the letter to the Hebrews not only draws our attention to the passage of Jesus’ blood to the heavenly sanctuary, but also teaches us that He is still there performing the services of High Priest (Hebrews 8:2). He appears in God’s presence "for us" (Hebrews 9:24). He no longer has to bring a sacrifice — that he did on earth — but he intercedes there for us (Hebrews 7:25). This intercession on our behalf is truly the climax of Jesus’ work, as Paul teaches us in Romans 8:34. Death and resurrection were momentous and decisive. But the climax is that we have an Intercessor with the Father who lives forever and always prays for us. When we draw near, we may know that there is an Advocate at God’s throne who simultaneously raises his voice and takes our part.        

An Advocate moreover, that is unequalled. Unequalled, because he can sympathise with our weaknesses. Just as us he was tempted in every way, be it without sin (Hebrews 4:15), He knows us through and through and has knowledge of Satan’s temptations. He is the complete, experienced expert when it comes to obediently doing God’s will (Hebrews 5:7-8). He knows what it costs to say “Your will be done.”

No, we don’t require a Mary or saints to go to our Father. All the so-called "s" fall far short of the right of speech attained for us by the great Mediator with the Father, Jesus, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1). Let us praise God’s grace, which gave us such a dedicated, experienced expert Advocate as our faithful Saviour. And may we also realise what it means to conclude our prayers with "in Jesus name."

Sincerely drawing near←⤒🔗

We may draw near, may enter the heavenly sanctuary. What a privilege! But "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:22). That which was pertinent for the priests of the old dispensation holds true for us today. You can only approach God with a sincere heart and a good conscience. Cleansing of body and soul is found only in Christ’s Spirit. He is the Spirit "of grace and supplication" (Zechariah 12:10). He sanctifies our bodies and souls and teaches us to enter the heavenly sanctuary with respect and confidence. He makes us worthy "approachers," who have access to the Father (Ephesians 2:18), priests to serve God (Rev. 1:6), who are able to approach "with freedom and confidence" (Ephesians 3:12).

Does it strike you how amazing our praying actually is? There is no longer a separate class that may draw near to God. We have all come close through the blood of Jesus and therefore have the right to enter the heavenly sanctuary (Hebrews 10:19). Yes, as long as we don’t forget: "The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love" (Psalm  33:18) and that he is near to all who call to him in truth (Psalm 145:18)!