Communion and Prayer 1

Communion and Prayer 1

Communion and Prayer Hebrews 10:- 22 (KJV) Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 And having an high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ADAM CLARK S COMMENTARY Hebrews 10:20 2

By a new and living way it is a new way; no human being had ever before entered into the heaven of heavens; Jesus in human nature was the first, and thus he has opened the way to heaven to mankind, his own resurrection and ascension to glory being the proof and pledge of ours. The way is called ὁδον προσφατον και ζωσαν, new or fresh, and living. This is evidently an allusion to the blood of the victim newly shed, uncoagulated, and consequently proper to be used for sprinkling. The blood of the Jewish victims was fit for sacrificial purposes only so long as it was warm and fluid, and might be considered as yet possessing its vitality; but when it grew cold, it coagulated, lost its vitality, and was no longer proper to be used sacrificially. Christ is here, in the allusion, represented as newly slain, and yet living; the blood ever considered as flowing and giving life to the world. The way by the old covenant neither gave life, nor removed the liability to death. The way to peace and reconciliation, under the old covenant, was through the dead bodies of the animals slain; but Christ is living, and ever liveth, to make intercession for us; therefore he is a new and living way. In the Choephorae of Aeschylus, ver. 801, there is an expression like this of the apostle: Αγετε, των παλαι πεπραγμενων Αυσασθ ἁιμα προσφατοις δικαις. Agite, olim venditorum Solvite sanguinem recenti vindicta. This way, says Dr. Owen, is new, 1. Because it was but newly made and prepared. 2. Because it belongs unto the new covenant. 3. Because it admits of no decays, but is always new, as to its efficacy and use, as in the day of its first preparation. 4. The way of the tabernacle waxed old, and so was prepared for a removal; but the Gospel way of salvation shall never be altered, nor changed, nor decay; it is always new, and remains forever. 3

It is also called ζωσαν, living, 1. In opposition to the way into the holiest under the tabernacle, which was by death; nothing could be done in it without the blood of a victim. 2. It was the cause of death to any who might use it, except the high priest himself; and he could have access to it only one day in the year. 3. It is called living, because it has a spiritual vital efficacy in our access to God. 4. It is living as to its effects; it leads to life, and infallibly brings those who walk in it unto life eternal. Through the veil As the high priest lifted up or drew aside the veil that separated the holy from the most holy place, in order that he might have access to the Divine Majesty; and as the veil of the temple was rent from the top to the bottom at the crucifixion of Christ, to show that the way to the holiest was then laid open; so we must approach the throne through the mediation of Christ, and through his sacrificial death. His pierced side is the way to the holiest. Here the veil his humanity, is rent, and the kingdom of heaven opened to all believers. MATTHREW HENRY S CONCISE COMMENTARY Argument for Holy Boldness in the Believer's Access to God through Jesus Christ, and for Steadfastness in Faith, and Mutual Love and Duty Hebrews 10: - 25 The apostle having closed the first part of the epistle, the doctrine is applied to practical purposes. As believers had an open way to the presence of God, it became them to use this privilege. The way and means by which Christians enjoy such privileges, is by the blood of Jesus, by the merit of that blood which he offered up as an atoning sacrifice. The agreement of infinite holiness with pardoning mercy was not clearly understood till the human nature of Christ, the Son of God, was wounded and bruised for our sins. Our way to heaven is by a crucified Savior; his death is to us the Way of Life, and to those who believe this, he will be precious. They must draw near to God; it would be contempt of Christ, still to keep at a distance. Their bodies were to be washed with pure water, alluding 4

to the cleansings directed under the law: thus the use of water in baptism was to remind Christians that their conduct should be pure and holy. While they derived comfort and grace from their reconciled Father to their own souls, they would adorn the doctrine of God their Savior in all things. Believers are to consider how they can be of service to each other, especially stirring up each other to the more vigorous and abundant exercise of love, and the practice of good works. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a means of steadfastness and perseverance. We should observe the coming of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence. There is a trying day coming on all men, the day of our death. J. VERNON McGEE COMMENTARY Encouragement (10:- 25) is the practical section of this chapter, and it speaks of privilege and responsibility. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus [Heb. 10:]. "Boldness" is boldness of speech; it has no thought of arrogance. Now notice this carefully - - how do we get into the holiest, that is, into God's presence? By the blood of Jesus. By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh [Heb. 10:20]. That veil was torn in two when Christ was crucified on the cross, which indicated that the way to God was open. "Through the veil, that is to say, his flesh" - - flesh is the same word we find in the prologue of John's Gospel where he said that "the Word became flesh." John didn't say that it was a new and living way open to God, because the Incarnation, the life of Christ saves no one. We enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus. Our right of entrance is not through His incarnation but through the rending of the veil; that is, through His death. 5

You and I have the privilege of worshiping God, not because of the life of Jesus, but because of His death for us upon the Cross. Oh, my friend, this distinction is so important! "By a new and living way." The word new is from the Greek word prosphatos, meaning "newly slain." It speaks of the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ has opened up for you and me a new and living way to God through His crucifixion, through His death upon the Cross. The old sacrifices won't help you anymore, friend LIFE APPLICATION COMMENTARY Christ s Death opened the New and Living Way 10:- 20 Through his death on our behalf, believers can boldly enter heaven s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Believers have access to the heavenly sanctuary; that is, they have free access to God. Christ now sits at God s right hand as our High Priest in this heavenly sanctuary (see 6:- 20; 8:1-2; 9:11-12, 24). The blood refers to Jesus giving his life for us (see 9:12, 14; 10:, 29; 12:24; 13:12, 20). This encouragement for boldness is remarkable because, under the old covenant, the Most Holy Place was sealed from view by the sacred curtain. But Jesus death in his human body opened up access to God. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the Temple (which had replaced the Tabernacle) tore from top to bottom (Mark 15:38), thereby unveiling the glorious reality that believers now have free access to God. By means of his death, Jesus opened the new, life- giving way. He truly was the way itself (John 14:6). MATTHEW POOLE S COMMENTARY Boldness to enter into the holiest By the blood of Jesus: and this only vouchsafed them by the blood of Jesus, which atoned him, who sits on the throne, for us, and made it accessible to us. How much greater is this 6

gospel privilege than that under the law! Aaron alone, and not the Israelites, could enter into the holy of holiest, and that but once a year, and then with the blood of beasts sacrificed for himself and them; whereas every penitent believing sinner can now by faith in Christ's blood and prayer, enter into the holiest of all in heaven, and there converse with God every day, while sin hath made him inaccessible to others. By a new and living way; which way is figuratively setting out the means of entering into the holiest in heaven by the blood of Christ. By way is understood that by which approach to God in heaven is made, and wherein we must have our access to him, even Christ himself, John 14:6: πρόσφατον, a way newly made manifest by Christ's sacrifice newly slain and offered, rending the veil that hid heaven from them, so as they could not so clearly discern the throne of grace then, as now; and the way is not only new, but ζῶσαν, a quickening way, giving life and ability for motion and refreshment to those who walk in it, John 14:6, such as is everlasting, and is opened, not as the legal way, only to the high priest, but to all true Israelites to enter into it, and that not once a year, but continually. This is the way of life permanent and safe, Isa 35:8-10. Which he hath consecrated for us; this way Christ himself hath newly made, finished and opened unto them that they might walk therein, and reach home to God; nothing could obstruct or hinder them in it, he having perfected it unto this end. Through the veil, that is to say, his flesh: the inner veil, that separated the holiest of all from the holy place, was a type of the flesh of Christ, veiling his Deity; through the breaking and rending of which by death, he opens the way to the throne of grace in the holy of holiest in heaven, and so made God accessible to believers there, Heb. 9:12; compare PREACHER S OUTLINE COMMENTARY How can a person know God personally and intimately? 7

(10:- 20) Faith Jesus Christ, Death: What is the new and living faith? First, it is having boldness to enter the presence of God. The word "boldness" (parrēsian PWS: 417 ) means to enter God's presence freely and openly, with confidence and assurance.. Able to enter the presence of God freely and openly- Knowing God personally and intimately- Fellowshipping and communing with God- Having God guide and direct, look after and care for, provide and protect, strengthen and deliver us with joy, rejoicing, assurance, confidence, and victory over all the trials and temptations in life. Imagine having God take care of one's life like that. This is what the new and living faith is: it is boldness to enter God's presence, to know God intimately and personally, experiencing His fellowship, presence, and power all the time. It is living and moving and having our being in God. How is this possible? How can a person know God so personally and intimately? By the blood of Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus Christ opened up a new and living way for us to approach God. It opened up a way that brings us right into the holiest place of all, into the very presence of God. Note the reference to the holiest place (Hebrews 10:) and to the veil or curtain (Hebrews 10:20). This refers to the Holy of Holies of the Jewish tabernacle where the presence of God dwelt and to the veil which separated God's presence from man. The Holy of Holies stressed the holiness and majesty of God how unsearchable and separate God is from man and His world of imperfection and sin. The veil symbolized that man was cut off from God; man's sin and imperfection made him unacceptable to God. This, of course, meant a significant fact: as long as the veil was there, man could not approach God. The only way man could ever approach God would be if God rent the veil and opened up the way into His presence. This is the glorious message of this passage. God has rent the veil through the flesh of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:20). The veil symbolized the body of the Lord Jesus. When the body of the Lord Jesus was rent, the veil of the tabernacle was rent and the way was opened up into the presence of God forever. What does this mean? It means 8

this: when the body of Christ was rent upon the cross, man was no longer separated from God by sin and imperfection. The rent body of Christ means... Christ bore the sins and guilt and judgment of men for them. Christ frees man from sin and guilt and judgment by His rent body. Christ has opened up the way for man to enter God's presence by His rent body. Now, back to the original question: How can a person know God personally and intimately? How can a person enter the presence of God freely and openly? By the blood of Jesus, by the rent body of our Lord. A veil no longer separates man from God. There is only one thing that stands between God and men, that is Jesus Christ, the rent body of the living Lord. The way into God's presence is now opened through Christ. But note: it is opened only through Christ, only through His rent body. He is the new and living way to God. He is the object of the new and living faith that is to be placed in God. "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Romans 5:1-2). "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephes. 2:18). "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith in him" (Ephes. 3:12). "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water" (Hebrews 10:, 22) JOHN WESLEY S COMMENTARY 9

Liberty of the Honest Hearted Verse. Having finished the doctrinal part of his epistle, the apostle now proceeds to exhortation deduced from what has been treated of Hebrews 5:4, which he begins by a brief recapitulation. Having therefore liberty to enter, Verse 20. By a Living Way - The way of faith, whereby we live indeed. Which he hath consecrated - Prepared, dedicated, and established for us. Through the veil, that is, his flesh - As by rending the veil in the temple, the holy of holies became visible and accessible; so by wounding the body of Christ, the God of heaven was manifested, and the way to heaven opened. TRANSLATIONS: (MSG) So, friends, we can now without hesitation walk right up to God, into "the Holy Place." Jesus has cleared the way by the blood of his sacrifice, acting as our priest before God. The "curtain" into God's presence is his body. (AMP) Therefore, brethren, since we have full freedom and confidence to enter into the [Holy of] Holies [by the power and virtue] in the blood of Jesus, 20 By this fresh (new) and living way which He initiated and dedicated and opened for us through the separating curtain (veil of the Holy of Holies), that is, through His flesh, (NIV) Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, (YLT) Having, therefore, brethren, boldness for the entrance into the holy places, in the blood of Jesus, 20 which way he did initiate for us- - new and living, through the veil, that is, his flesh- - 10

(GW) Brothers and sisters, because of the blood of Jesus we can now confidently go into the holy place. 20 Jesus has opened a new and living way for us to go through the curtain. (The curtain is his own body.) WHY IS THE CROSS OF JESUS CHRIST NOT PREACHED? WHY IS SATAN FIGHTING THE PREACHING OF THE CROSS? Spurgeon said to a group of young ministers: Make much of the Blood of Christ. MAKE MUCH! I BELIEVE IN A HILL CALLED MOUNT CALVARY I believe in a hill called Mount Calvary I believe whatever the cost and when time has surrendered and earth is no more I'll still cling to the old rugged cross I believe that the Christ who was slain on the cross has the power to change lives today. For He changed me completely; a new life is mine, and that is why by the cross I will stay. Gaithers 11