Hebrews 10:19-25
Draw Near with Confidence
19Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,
20by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body,
21and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.
24And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.
25Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Berean Standard Bible
The writer turns from what Christ has accomplished to what believers may now do. Because of Jesus' blood, they have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place. He has opened a new and living way through the curtain of His body, and He is the great priest over God's house.
The response comes in a series of invitations. Draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith. Hearts have been sprinkled to cleanse a guilty conscience, and bodies have been washed with pure water. The language describes people who no longer stand outside in uncertainty; Christ has brought them near.
Hold resolutely to the hope professed, because the One who promised is faithful. Christian confidence is not confidence in our consistency. It is confidence in God's promise and in the access Jesus gives.
Then consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Do not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit. Encourage one another, especially as the Day approaches. The command assumes that perseverance is strengthened in community rather than managed alone.
Questions
1 Why can believers enter the Most Holy Place confidently?
AnswerThey can enter confidently because Jesus' blood opened a new and living way through the curtain of His body.
2 How should believers draw near?
AnswerThey should draw near with a sincere heart and full assurance of faith, cleansed from a guilty conscience.
3 What should believers hold firmly?
AnswerThey should hold firmly to the hope they profess because the One who promised is faithful.
4 How can believers help one another?
AnswerThey can spur one another toward love and good deeds and encourage one another by meeting together.
What This Means for Us
Christian access rests on God's promise and Jesus' work, not on a record of personal consistency. We can therefore draw near honestly. A household can pray from need instead of waiting until everyone feels spiritually impressive.
Community is part of endurance. Meet with people who help you love and obey Christ, and become that kind of steady encouragement for someone who is tired.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for opening the living way to God. Give us sincere confidence, faithful hope, and a community that encourages love and good deeds when perseverance becomes difficult. Amen.