God has been revealing Himself to mankind in different ways from the beginning of creation. There is a fascinating difference between the invitations God gave to mankind before Christ, though, and the ones He gave after Christ came to earth.
Let me show you what I mean.
When God spoke out of a burning bush to Moses, that great Jewish leader, He gave him this warning: “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5). Later, when God was about to reveal the Ten Commandments to His chosen people on Mt. Sinai, He said to Moses: “You shall set bounds for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death’ ” (Exodus 19:12).
In the Old Testament God’s glory actually appeared in the Tabernacle built by Moses (and later the Temple built by Solomon), but access to that glory was carefully shielded. The place of worship in the temple was divided into four areas. The outer court was open to anyone who wanted to worship the one true God. There worshipers could offer a sacrifice, but a priest had to take the animal and perform the sacrifice for them. The next area was the inner court (or house of prayer), and it was only open to Jewish men who were ceremonially clean.
The most sacred area of the Temple was divided by a thick curtain into two sections: the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. Only priests could enter the Holy Place to worship God. The Holy of Holies, though, is where the actual presence and glory of God was revealed. The High Priest was the only one ever allowed in that room, and he could only enter it on ONE day of the year (the Day of Atonement). Even then, he could only enter it after offering blood sacrifices for himself and for the nation. God was making it clear that His presence was real, and that He was holy–completely separate from sinful humanity. His people knew that His presence was not readily accessible.
Jesus changed all of that, though. Immediately after His death on the Cross, “… the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Mark 15:37–38). The presence of God was now available to anyone who came to God through the work of Christ. “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (Hebrews 10:19–22).
Jesus changed everything!
When Jesus died for our sin, He removed all the racial barriers. “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups
Jesus has replaced the “Do not come near” of Exodus 3:5 with: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Not only Jesus, but “The [Holy] Spirit and the bride [the followers of Jesus] say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost” (Revelation 22:17)
Jesus has an invitation just for you. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20).
Have you taken advantage of Christ’s invitation? Here is what you must do: “Repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
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