"When all the things were in place, the priests regularly entered the first room as they performed their religious duties. But only the high priest ever entered the Most Holy Place, and only once a year." (Hebrew 9:6-7 NLT)
The inner part of the Tabernacle was divided into two rooms. There was a Holy place (with a lamp stand, a table and loaves of bread) and then, beyond the curtain, was the Most Holy Place. (with a golden incense altar and the Ark of the Covenant). The priests could enter the Holy place at any time with regularity.
This reminds me of the daily office. Through set aside moments we can connect with the power and presence of God throughout the day. He has mercifully availed Himself to us. The Holy Place is always open.
Historically, the Most Holy Place was a bit more elusive. Only the High Priest was welcomed annually and there were significant protocols and sacrifices. Failure to comply with these instructions resulted in death. Rabbinical tradition tells us the potential consequences were so fearful that the High Priest had a bell and rope sewn to his garment. If the bell stopped ringing, the other priests heard from the far side of the curtain. They knew death had struck and they would drag him out to more common ground to bury his remains.
Thankfully, when Christ died on the cross, the curtain was torn. By the shed blood of Jesus, the Most Holy Place became accessible to the ordinary believer. It seems, though, that our entrance to that purer, more powerful experience is infrequent and impactful. I can think back to a handful of most holy moments in my life: Jesus’ personal invitation to salvation as a kindergartner, the call to ministry while serving at a summer camp, an unexpected outpouring in a crumbling chapel with a few bleary-eyed teenagers. For me, those interactions have been scattered across my life, touchstones leading me along the sacred path. God arranged these opportunities.
We can’t fabricate Most Holy moments. We can only avail ourselves to them by consistently showing up in the Holy Place and offering God full access to our frames. The more often we approach the throne in worship, prayer and attentiveness, the more likely we are to be tugged over the threshold from Holy to Most Holy. Proximity is everything in the Kingdom. And when we maintain nearness in daily discipline, we are far more prone to His manifest presence.
"Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to You for help, as I lift my hands toward Your holy sanctuary." (Psalms 28:2 NLT)
"This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary." (Hebrew 6:19 NLT)
Lord, we are incredibly grateful for Your work on the cross. You have purchased for us what we could never afford on our own. Give us steadfastness as we practice our spiritual disciplines. May we continue to show up and grow up in our faith. We delight in Your nearness and await Your Most Holy moments with great hope. Amen.