Day Five

Today we sit with a thought that is absolutely astonishing:

We are invited to draw near to the Lord of the universe, who desires to fellowship with us.

So many of the truths related to the cross and the empty tomb are not easy to illustrate in practical terms. We can experience them as spiritual realities, but they can be difficult to describe fully. We’re forgiven of our sin, but what does that look like? We can use images such as cleansing or the paying of a debt, but they only scratch the surface of how the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday deal with our sin. The same goes for the gift of eternal life—how do we even begin to grasp that particular one in the here and now? We won’t know for sure what it is like until we are in God’s presence. “For now we see in a mirror dimly,” as Paul says in 1 Corinthians. And he is right.

But this truth about our invitation into God’s presence is one that comes to us in very plain and simple terms—once we were separated from God, but now the blood of Jesus ends that separation. We are invited into his presence and can accept that invitation with confidence and assurance. It’s a truth illustrated by one of the most powerful images in all of Scripture, occurring at the moment of Jesus’ death on the cross:

“At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”—Matthew 27:51 (NIV)

The veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple, representing the separation between God and humanity, is “rent asunder” as one commentator puts it. Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the barrier of sin is removed and we are invited into God’s presence in ways that not even the Old Testament saints could have known. The author of Hebrews states it in powerful and beautiful language:

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.”—Hebrews 10:19-22 (NIV)

Think about that for a moment—we have confidence to enter the very presence of God because of what Christ accomplished in the cross and the empty tomb. We can draw near with a sincere heart and full assurance that we will not be cast aside, but will be welcomed by a loving Father who has made a way for us.

Sometimes there are just no words.

So as we pray and worship today, let’s make sure we don’t take for granted the fact that we’re able to do so, that we are invited to do so. We can be with God because of the supreme way he chose to be with us in Jesus. What an astonishing thought…what a marvelous gift.

You are here
You are here in this place
We draw near
We draw near by your grace
At your feet
We will lay down our burdens
And leave them in your care

Read the rest of the lyrics here

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Time of Reflection

Today we will simply contemplate some verses of Scripture that speak to being in God’s presence. Let them lead you into reflection, prayer, and worship.

“One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.”—Psalm 27:4 (NIV)

“Jesus answered him, Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’”—John 14:23 (NRSV)

“You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”—Psalm 16:11 (NIV)

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”—James 4:8 (NRSV)

“The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.”—Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)