Leviticus 16:1-5: a reflection

1The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they came near before the LORD, and died; 2and the LORD said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat. 3“Aaron shall come into the sanctuary with a young bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4He shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on. 5He shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

The instructions for the Day of Atonement begin with a solemn warning. After the death of Aaron's two sons, who had approached God wrongly, God tells Aaron not to come into the Most Holy Place at just any time, behind the veil where God's presence dwelt, lest he die. Access to the holiest place was strictly limited, only once a year, only by the high priest, only with blood, only in the appointed way. God's holiness made approaching him a serious and carefully guarded thing; one could not come casually, or on one's own terms.

Notice how restricted access to God was under the old covenant. The way into the Most Holy Place was closed to all but one man, on one day, with careful preparation and sacrifice; the veil stood as a barrier, and to approach wrongly was to die. This guarded restriction taught something true and easy to forget: that God is holy, and coming into his presence is not a casual thing to be done on our own terms.

And yet the New Testament tells us of a stunning change. When Christ died, the veil of the temple was torn in two, and by his blood the way into God's presence was opened. What was once restricted to one man, one day a year, is now open to all who come through Christ; we are invited to draw near with confidence to the very throne of grace. The restriction taught us God's holiness; the torn veil shows us his welcome. Marvel that the presence once so guarded is now open to you in Christ, and draw near, not casually, but with reverence and confidence, through the way he opened at such cost.

Lord, under the old covenant the way into your presence was strictly guarded, open only to the high priest, once a year, with blood, lest anyone approach your holiness wrongly and die. Thank you that in Christ the veil was torn, and the presence once so restricted is now opened to all who come through him. Let me never take that access lightly. Teach me both the reverence the old restriction taught, that you are holy and not to be approached casually, and the confidence the torn veil gives, that I am welcomed through the way Christ opened at such cost. Help me draw near to you with reverence and boldness together, grateful for the access he purchased with his blood.