Memorise: Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19)
Read: Esther 5:1-3
Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. (Esther 5:1)
And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. (Esther 5:2)
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom. (Esther 5:3)
Bible in one year: Job 32-34
Message
When Queen Esther went to the inner court of the king, she risked her life, but because she obtained favour, the king stretched the golden sceptre he was holding towards her. She was then allowed to approach the king and he made her an incredible offer. The first thing we learn in this story is that powerful kings are not easily approached except according to laid down rules, otherwise the individual could lose his or her life. As it is with earthly kings with regards to access, so is it with King of kings. When God was about to come down on Mount Sinai, He gave specific instructions to the children on Israel. For them to approach His presence, they were to be set apart for two days, abstains from sex, wash their clothes and make themselves presentable. Yet while in God’s presence, they must keep a safe distance from the mountain. Whosoever touched the mountain – be it man or beast would have to die (Exodus 19:10-13). Not even the priests were allowed to climb up and meet the Lord at the top of the mountain; any priest that dared violate God’s instruction would be personally dealt with by God (Exodus 19:22).
Similarly, during their worship in the temple, while everyone else could worship at the outer court, only the Levites could access the inner court, while only the high priest was allowed once a year, to enter the innermost part – the Holy of holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. While going in, the high priest will have a rope tied to his leg and some bells were attached round about the lower ends of his apron, so that if he goes in and is not clean enough and dies in God’s presence, the rope will be used to pull him out. But while ushering in the New Testament by His blood, our Lord Jesus Christ changed this. When He died, the curtain preventing people from seeing the Holy of holies was torn into two, meaning through Jesus Christ, we can now access God directly (Hebrew 9:1-8; Matthew 27:50-51). Today, to access God’s presence by the blood of Jesus, all you need to do is to come to Him with thanksgiving and to worship Him with praises. However, never take such easy access for granted! It cost Jesus Christ His life! But if you come before His presence with sin in your life, you will not be able to gain access except you first repent and forsake the sin. You must have clean hands and a pure heart, a right spirit and humility. Come with praises and thanksgiving. Come in the name of Jesus and you will gain entry. Thank God for the easy access we now have into God’s presence.
PRAYER POINT
Father, thank you for giving me access into your presence. Lord, let me never be denied this access both now and in eternity.
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