Hebrews 10:17-23: a reflection

17“I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” 18Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, 21and having a great priest over God’s house, 22let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and having our body washed with pure water, 23let’s hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful.

Because Christ has offered his one final sacrifice and God remembers our sins no more, the writer to the Hebrews draws a wonderful conclusion: we may now draw near to God with boldness. Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, he writes, let's draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith. Through Christ, the way into God's presence is open, and we may draw near, not with fear or hesitation, but with boldness and full assurance. We do not have to approach God timidly, unsure of our welcome; through Christ's blood, we have boldness to enter, and are invited to draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.

Notice the boldness we are given to draw near to God through Christ. The writer does not say we may approach God cautiously, tentatively, unsure of our welcome; he says we have boldness to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, and invites us to draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith. Through Christ, the way into God's presence is open, and our welcome is sure; we may draw near boldly, with full assurance. The blood of Jesus has opened the way and secured our welcome, so that we approach not as those uncertain of their reception, but with boldness and full assurance of faith. We are invited to draw near, boldly and assured, because of what Christ has done.

That is worth resting in, for through Christ we may draw near to God with boldness and full assurance, not with fear. We can approach God timidly, hesitantly, unsure of our welcome, feeling we must earn our way into his presence; but the writer says we have boldness to enter by the blood of Jesus, and invites us to draw near with full assurance of faith. Through Christ, the way is open and our welcome is sure. Do not approach God timidly, unsure of your welcome, as though you must earn your way in; through Christ, you may draw near with boldness and full assurance. Draw near to God with boldness and full assurance through Christ, not with fear or hesitation, as the writer says we have boldness to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus and invites us to draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith; for Christ has opened the way into God's presence and secured our welcome, and we may approach not as those uncertain of their reception but boldly and assured, because of what Christ has done.

Lord, because Christ has offered his one final sacrifice and you remember our sins no more, the writer to the Hebrews draws a wonderful conclusion: we may now draw near to you with boldness. Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, he writes, let's draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith. Through Christ, the way into your presence is open, and we may draw near, not with fear or hesitation, but with boldness and full assurance. Show me the boldness we are given to draw near to you through Christ. The writer does not say we may approach you cautiously, tentatively, unsure of our welcome; he says we have boldness to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, and invites us to draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith. Through Christ, the way into your presence is open, and our welcome is sure; we may draw near boldly. The blood of Jesus has opened the way and secured our welcome. We are invited to draw near, boldly and assured, because of what Christ has done. Let me rest in that, for through Christ I may draw near to you with boldness and full assurance, not with fear. I can approach you timidly, hesitantly, unsure of my welcome, feeling I must earn my way into your presence; but the writer says I have boldness to enter by the blood of Jesus. Through Christ, the way is open and my welcome is sure. Keep me from approaching you timidly, unsure of my welcome, as though I must earn my way in; through Christ, I may draw near with boldness and full assurance, Lord. Help me draw near to you with boldness and full assurance through Christ, not with fear or hesitation, as the writer invites us to draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith.