“When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.  The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing” (Hebrews 9:6-8)

Have you ever felt a sense of distance from God? It’s a common feeling, as if there's a barrier you just can't seem to cross. You pray, but the words feel like they hit the ceiling. You read Scripture, but the connection feels distant. This feeling isn’t new; it’s woven into the very fabric of humanity's relationship with God, and the Old Testament tabernacle gives us a powerful picture of it.

The writer of Hebrews draws our attention to this ancient system of worship to reveal something extraordinary about what Jesus accomplished for us. By looking at the old way, we can truly appreciate the beauty of the new.

“The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing.” (Hebrews 9:8)

This single verse contains a profound truth. The old system, with all its rituals and rules, was a constant, physical reminder of the separation between a holy God and humanity.

A System of Ritual and Fear

Let's journey back to the desert tabernacle. It was a place of divine order, meticulously arranged according to a heavenly pattern. The priests had their duties, entering the first room, the "outer room," every day to minister. They trimmed the lamps, changed the bread, and kept the rituals going. It was a place of work and service.

But beyond the first room, behind a thick, imposing curtain, was the "inner room"—the Most Holy Place. This was God’s throne room on earth, and access was severely restricted. Only the high priest could enter, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. His entry was surrounded by a sense of dread and awe.

He couldn't just walk in. He had to carry the blood of a sacrifice, offered first for his own sins and then for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. Think about that for a moment—even the sins they weren't aware of created a barrier that needed to be addressed. The writer of Exodus adds another layer to this picture. The high priest’s robe was hemmed with golden bells.

“The sound of the bells will be heard when he enters the Holy Place before the LORD and when he comes out, so that he will not die.” (Exodus 28:35)

Imagine being an Israelite standing outside, listening. The bells were a sign of life. As long as they heard the tinkling, they knew their representative was still alive in the presence of a holy God. If the bells went silent, it meant disaster. What a heavy atmosphere of fear and uncertainty! His confidence must have been fragile as he stood before the God of the universe, protected only by the blood of an animal and the sound of his own movement.

This entire system—the curtain, the once-a-year entry, the blood, the bells—was the Holy Spirit’s object lesson. It was a living illustration showing that the way into God’s immediate presence was closed.

The Illustration and the Reality

This system was never meant to be permanent. It was a shadow, a placeholder pointing toward a greater reality to come. It was a beautiful, intricate illustration of a future fulfillment. As long as that "first tabernacle" system was in place, the new system of grace could not begin.

But then, Jesus came.

He didn't just improve the old system; He fulfilled it and, in doing so, made it obsolete. Jesus entered the heavenly tabernacle, not a man-made one. He entered not as a temporary priest, but as our eternal High Priest. And He entered not with the blood of bulls and goats, but with His own precious blood, offered once for all time.

The moment He accomplished this, the entire landscape of our relationship with God changed. The curtain in the earthly temple was torn from top to bottom, signifying that the barrier was gone. The way into the Most Holy Place was thrown wide open.

You Are Now of a Royal Priesthood

This is the amazing truth the writer of Hebrews wants us to grasp. The access that was once restricted to one man, one day a year, through fear and trembling, is now available to all who trust in Jesus, every day, with confidence and boldness.

Jesus’ blood didn't just cover our sins temporarily; it cleansed us completely. It dealt with every sin—past, present, and future, even the ones committed in ignorance. Because we are cleansed, we can enter the very throne room of grace through Him.

The Apostle Peter captures this incredible shift in our identity:

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

What an incredible heritage! A role once limited to a specific family line is now offered to everyone who puts their faith in Jesus. You are part of a royal priesthood. You have direct access to the Father. The door that was once closed is now open to you, not because of your own merit, but because of the finished work of your Great High Priest. You no longer have to stand outside and listen for the bells, wondering if you are accepted. You are invited in.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. How does knowing Jesus has opened the way to God change your prayers today?

2. Are there places you still feel distant from God? How can you accept that the curtain is gone?

3. What would your day look like if you truly lived as someone with direct access to God?