Digging Deeper Days
Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!
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The Questions
1) Is it really okay to approach God with boldness?
Isn’t that disrespectful or assuming?
2) What does it mean to “draw near with a true heart”?
3) How does “holding fast” draw us deeper into worship?
Hebrews 10:19-25
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have boldness to enter the sanctuary through the blood of Jesus— 20 he has inaugurated for us a new and living way through the curtain (that is, through his flesh)— 21 and since we have a great high priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed in pure water. 23 Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us watch out for one another to provoke love and good works, 25 not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.
Original Intent
1) Is it really okay to approach God with boldness? Isn’t that disrespectful or assuming?
The book of Hebrews begins by stacking up the evidence of who Christ is; He is the ONLY one who could ever completely fulfill the atoning work required as due payment for our sin. The author emphasizes how Christ is now SITTING at the right hand of the Father. In a sermon by the late Reverend R.C. Sproul, he explained how the priests of the Old Covenant were constantly standing and working to provide the necessary sacrifices, ceaselessly, year after year. But when Christ spilled his own unblemished blood, as the ultimate High Priest, He was able to sit down for the work was completed.
In 10:19, the direction curves with a “Therefore” to the practical application of this truth. First, we are told, “have boldness to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.” This emphasizes the solidity of what has occurred; nothing can shake or undermine the eternal work of Christ’s death on our behalf. There is no dependency on a person’s strength to enter God’s presence. Christ has assuredly torn the blockade to God’s presence, and we are welcomed into His presence through forgiveness. Christ has given His people privilege to speak to God directly and safely allowing us to worship, repent from sin, and seek refuge in Him.
2) What does it mean to “draw near with a true heart”?
After the encouragement of drawing near with a true heart, there is description of the heart being sprinkled clean and the body being washed. So, do we need to bathe before praying? The Matthew Henry Commentary notes the author is providing a tangible picture and parallel of the physical to the spiritual. The physical, outward confession of salvation in Christ is baptism. With baptism, the sense of a physical washing clean and removal of stains is to help us understand how Christ washes our souls clean from sin stains we cannot scrub out with good deeds and intentions. We are to draw near to God with pure intentions and a full surrender to Christ, relying on Him and not ourselves!
3) How does “holding fast” draw us deeper into worship?
This passage of Hebrews 10:19-23 begins with the means by which one is able to draw near to God (through the blood of Christ as our high priest). Accepting Christ’s sacrifice as your own, opens the door for true worship. In verse 22, we are directed to the “how” of drawing near to God, “with a true heart in full assurance of faith”. Finally, in verse 23, the author implores us to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering”. Verses 24-25 then elaborate on living out this life of worship as a community of believers loving each other in everyday life. It is this “holding fast” aspect that creates the natural overflow of a life of worship as we love those around us for the glory of God!
Everyday Application
1) Is it really okay to approach God with boldness? Isn’t that disrespectful or assuming?
The term “boldness” can get muddied in the real or fictional heroes of culture. Boldness is often tied up with rebellion, fighting for something, or taking charge. Dictonary.com gives definitions for “boldness” as “not hesitating in the face of actual or possible danger…necessitating courage” amongst other definitions. The English Standard Version of the Bible translates “boldness” in verse 10:19 to “confidence.”
In the Chronicles of Narnia, C.S. Lewis’ analogues God’s holiness being like that of an “untamed Lion”. God is not “tamed” by human logic or persuasion. His holiness demands a justice for sin that ought to have each of us quivering. Because Christ’s sacrifice offers reconciliation, we are extended the offer of fellowship with God, talking with Him in the manner originally intended back in the Garden of Eden. Though we ought to never lose our humility and reverence when praying, we can know that we are speaking to God as clearly as if He were sitting next to us. He hears us, is listening, and is responding. We can draw close to Him without intimidation, converse with Him our heart’s struggles, and know we are in His presence.
2) What does it mean to “draw near with a true heart”?
When Christ died, taking the punishment for sin we rightly deserved, the veil in the Tabernacle was torn from top to bottom, allowing direct access to the presence of God for all people. (verse 20) The Matthew Henry Commentary notes that for Christ to have graciously torn that veil and opened access directly to God, it would be a dishonoring and “un-grateful” response on our part to then refuse to draw near to HIS presence. Fellowship with us is not only what HE enjoys, but is also what He knows will bring us deep satisfaction. A relationship with God is not “what’s in it for me” or a last-minute panic button when we receive consequences for our decisions. Rather, drawing near with a true heart means we have surrendered everything to Christ alone. We are to draw near with humble gratitude for His merciful invitation to fellowship with God, with adoration of who HE is. It is through this lens and in this position of gratitude, we are invited to lay our petitions before Him.
3) How does “holding fast” draw us deeper into worship?
Usually when one is need of “holding fast,” it is because a storm is blowing strong and the muscles are weary. Living in tornado alley, a storm is inevitable, but the timing or strength of it cannot be predicted. Schools practice drills of moving deeper into the building, ducking down, and covering heads. To be safe, people practice the basics over and over in hopes that when the storm hits, even children can get themselves to refuge without delay.
We are called to be in the habit of drawing near. At times, it may feel mundane or “I already know this”, but this rehearsing the truth of the gospel, is slowly preparing us for when life feels out of control. With practice, rather than panic when the storm hits, we can run deeper into God’s faithfulness. We “hold fast to the confession of our hope” by looking to Christ as our source for real life and deep satisfaction, trusting the gospel over our feelings, and consistently digging deeper into His Word. Only when we do this can we really have front row seats to watching God work. God uses this holding fast to pull our hearts into adoration of HIM and humility of ourselves, thus the overflow of worship cannot be stopped!
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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!
1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!
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Why Dig Deeper?
Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.
In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!
Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.
Study Tools
We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.
Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!
Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))
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