⁸ The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, ⁹ which is a symbol for the present time …

Limitations abound in the old economy of God and His people. The commands and the rituals bring people close, but yet not close enough. There remains a yearning for God that is not fully satisfied. David reflected this when he wrote, “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God … Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation” (Ps 42:1, 5). He was a man who loved God and was loved by God, yet there was still something missing. And that was the way God intended it, to keep His people leaning toward Him, hoping for something better, anticipating what God was going to do to really bring the blessing promised to Abraham.

Clearly, as our passage today indicates, the pathway into God’s immediate presence as symbolized by the Most Holy Place was limited. In fact, it was not open, except to one individual and that only once a year. The High Priest represented the entire people of God. But only he could enter. At best others could only go so far as the outer area (or “outer tabernacle” as our translation renders it). And as long as there was an outer area of the tabernacle (later the temple), there was a constant reminder that the way to God was still obstructed.

Once again, we are made to understand that the tabernacle was a symbol of something else, it was not an end in itself (see Heb 8:25, 9:23). While the imagery was not clear to the Israelites under the Mosaic Law, now from our present day perspective, with Christ as the key, the symbolism is clear. Apart from Christ there is no final access to God; people can approach from a distance but only through Him can they have direct access to God. For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household…” (Eph 2:18–19). Not only is Christ now our High Priest, He brings us into the Father’s presence, we are not left standing in the outer area. We are ushered into the very presence of God, the real Holy of Holies, the Most Holy Place.

As believers in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we are welcomed with full and loving arms by the Father to His intimate presence—not just as subjects of His kingdom, but as beloved family members. What a privilege that is! What an awesome thing that is! What a Savior and High Priest we have!

Lord, I thank You for being so wonderful to me! You are an amazing God.