He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
Romans 8:32 NIV
In the Old Testament, access to God’s presence was a rare privilege. The Israelites had to follow strict rules and regulations to approach God’s presence. This access required meticulous rituals and sacrifices, and even then, entry behind the sacred curtain was precarious. Access to the Most Holy Place confined to the high priest and limited to once a year—the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). However, with Jesus, the Son of God, the ultimate sacrifice was made through His blood. He died on the cross, rendering obsolete the need for animal sacrifices.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
Mark 15:37-38 NIV
This freedom brings to mind the privilege of prayer. In the past, God’s people prayed from the outer courtyard, and God, in His mercy, heard and answered. Now, with the curtain torn, we have direct access through the blood of Jesus. We can now approach God’s presence boldly and confidently. There’s no need to rely on animal sacrifices or the high priest to intercede for us. We can now come directly to God’s throne of grace and receive His mercy and help. The writer of Hebrews echoes this sentiment:
So then, Christian friends, we see that Jesus died as a sacrifice on our behalf. Because of that, we may go into God’s Most Holy Place. We are not afraid to do that. Jesus has opened a new way for us to come near to God. That way gives us life with God. It leads us through the curtain into God’s Most Holy Place. Jesus opened that curtain for us when he offered his own body to God as a sacrifice.
Hebrews 10:19-20 EASY
Understanding this divine invitation, we realize that God, in giving us His only begotten Son, has bestowed upon us the greatest gift. The logical conclusion follows: how will He not also graciously give us all things?
It’s important to note that approaching God’s presence is not a casual or trivial matter. We should come with reverence, humility, and faith, acknowledging God’s holiness, power, and love. We should also come with a pure heart, confessing our sins and asking for forgiveness. Likewise, we should come with thanksgiving and praise, expressing our gratitude and adoration for God’s goodness and grace.
Consider the story of Hannah, who, after years of barrenness, decided to engage God in prayer. Her earnest supplication from the outer courtyard led to a meeting with God, and she received what she asked for (1 Samuel 1). Similarly, if we have been made right with God through Jesus Christ, we can boldly enter His presence, lay our burdens at His feet, and expect answer to our requests.
In the New Testament, we are encouraged to approach God’s presence with confidence and freedom. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Ephesians 3:12 says, “In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence” 4.
Access to God’s presence, made possible through Jesus, is a gift beyond measure. Through prayer, we exercise this access, confident that the God who gave His Son will graciously answer our requests. Let’s embrace this gift, engage with God earnestly, and experience the fullness of His blessings. Therefore, let us not hesitate to pray and ask God for anything according to His will, knowing that He hears us and answers us. Let us also thank Him and praise Him for His amazing love and grace.
