Draw Near to God
Scripture Readings: Leviticus 16; Matthew 27:45-51; Hebrews 4:16, 7:25, 9:6-12, 10:19-23
Leviticus 16:1 sets the context for the instructions that follow. Aaron and his descendants who would serve as high priests, entering the Holy Place on the Day of Atonement, were to follow strict rituals before coming into the Presence. Those procedures – washings, clothing, offerings, calendaring – fill the text of chapter 16. And all of this is introduced to us with the statement that this came, “after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the LORD and died.”
This setting of the context was not meant to be historical and chronological in nature. It was spiritual and theological. It was not saying, “this is when these instructions were given,” although that was true enough. It was saying, “this is why you absolutely must, without hesitation and in every detail, heed these words.”
Aaron’s sons died because they arrogantly assumed, they could “draw near” to the Presence in their own way, without regard for their moral and spiritual impurity and the holiness of God. Reminding Aaron and the Levitical priests about the death of Aaron’s sons, fired a warning shot over the bow of the priesthood. They could draw near, but only in the right way on the right day. To do otherwise was to incur God’s swift and certain judgment.
The Tabernacle and then later the Temple were emblematic of God’s Presence in the midst of God’s people. While this was a sign of God’s blessing and grace, unequaled among the nations, these hung over it a perpetual reminder of humanity’s problem – they were separated from God by sin, held at bay from the Presence, unable to draw near, still East of Eden. The gentiles could come close, but not near, being restricted to the outer courts. So too was the status of women. Men could get closer, but neither could they draw near. Everyone was excluded from the Holy Place. The only exception was the High Priest, and he could draw near only one day a year, with special preparations. And even then, he drew near in fear, timidly, hesitantly, always aware that Aaron’s sons died doing this.
We grievously err if we consider this to be mere primitive, antiquated, and unenlightened ideas about God and our dealings with him. To count this as silly superstition is to think more highly of ourselves, and less of God than is wise. God is holier than we realize. Our depravity is deeper and darker than we are willing to acknowledge. And, without intending it, we minimize the power and glory of the accomplishments of the Cross. To put it another way: If Christ had not yet come, this old way would still be the way.
But Christ has come! When Jesus was crucified the Temple veil, that symbol of our separation from God, was torn in two. Because Christ has, once for all, removed the sin that banished us from the Presence, a new and living way has been opened. Therefore, the writer of Hebrews, using the language of Leviticus 16, and drives home the point by repeating the words, “draw near.”
Draw near without fear. Draw near boldly, without hesitation or trepidation. Draw near and find grace and help in your time of need. Draw near because Jesus, our Great High Priest, has opened the way through his death on the Cross.