We got news from my sister in New Mexico, and my brother, Dave, immediately called me. He wanted to see her, but the 20-hour drive was too hard to do alone. It would be easier with his brother. We could share the load. Even so, we would spend more than half our time on the road, and only one or two days with her. Was there a better way?
I thought of that while studying Hebrews 10. Too many people try to do life alone. Even people who claim to follow Jesus will try to follow him all by themselves, but it just doesn’t work. For people who often celebrate independence, the Book of Hebrews shows us that Jesus is greater than our own desire for independence.
Draw near—through Jesus
In the Old Testament, no one could get near God. He was holy, and the people were not. So to try to draw close to God was a death wish. “I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive,” God told Moses in Exodus 33:20.
Unless someone takes our sin and makes us holy, we simply cannot go into God’s presence. So what do we do? When Jesus showed up, because of what he did for us, we can draw near. Hebrews 10:19-22 says we can confidently enter God’s presence for one reason: the blood of Jesus. Jesus died and shed his own blood to pay the price for our sins so we can draw near. Our entrance has been bought and paid for. Jesus paid it all, all you have to do is come. God wants us to draw near to him.
There used to be a veil separating people in the temple from the presence of God, but when Jesus died, the veil was torn in two. And Hebrews says Jesus is the new veil. It is through him and him alone we can draw near.
Because he is faithful
Sometimes people don’t trust someone because they aren’t sure they can. Sometimes people live alone and independently because they don’t want to risk getting hurt. People even do this with God.
Verse 23 says why we can trust Jesus: “for he who promised is faithful.” Look at the cross. Look at the empty tomb.
I heard someone once say: If someone promises to die for me and they say they will be raised again—and then it happens—I’m going to believe that person.
Having problems in your life does not mean you can’t trust God and should run your life yourself. Problems should make you run to His promises.
Life’s problems are never stronger than God’s promises.
To help us and each other
There are a lot of Christians who are comfortable relying on Jesus, but as soon as I say, “You also need to rely on others,” I lose them.
The author of Hebrews is quite clear that we are meant to do faith together. We are to not give up on assembling together, he says in verse 25. We are meant to encourage each other to good deeds and to love. I need you to encourage me to love better and do better. And you need us to encourage you to do the same. We are simply better together.
When I decided to go to New Mexico with my brother, we looked into flights. Flying would give us way more time than driving. But last second flights were $1,000 each. A man came up to me and said some men of church had paid our way. He said, “I don’t think you realize how much we love you.”
There was a price for your sin you simply could not afford. Jesus stepped in and paid the whole amount. He looks at you and says, “I don’t think you realize how much I love you.”
Paul Cooper is lead pastor of Marshall Baptist Church.