Taste and See
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus … let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water, (Hebrews 10:19, 22).
When a Jewish man entered the outer court of the temple, he confronted an altar designed for animal sacrifices. Their blood was shed, life was taken, and carcasses were consumed as atonement for sin. Afterward the man washed in the laver (or basin) that was also there as a symbol of cleansing.
These things had to be completed before he moved on: the sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, and the washing of regeneration.
If a man came that far, he could enter the Holy Place and there find the bread of the Presence, which symbolized life. Similarly, when we arrive on the other side of conversion and the forgiveness of sin, we begin to walk in the light of God’s truth, and Jesus begins to feed us with himself.
A man could go even deeper into the temple, to a place called the Holy of Holies. When the high priest went beyond that which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, he found himself in the very presence of God. Under the old covenant the high priest was admitted there only once a year. Christ, in his death, opened that way for all of us. The immediate the presence of the holy God is our privilege.
If you have tasted God’s holy immediate presence, you will not have much use for life without that intimacy. If you have ever reached the point where he has glorified himself in you, you will never want to leave that place of his holy presence. Are you still living in the outer courts? Let God push you farther and farther into his presence. Jesus became the sacrifice so you and I could lay down our lives as sacrifices as well. Once we have laid down ourselves, we can go inside the veil, and Jesus himself will become our life, our glory.
When Jesus has become that, you don’t need anything else. It doesn’t matter whether the way is easy or rough. He is enough. It doesn’t matter whether he fills your hands or empties them. He is enough. It doesn’t matter whether you are sick or well. He is enough. It doesn’t matter whether you are living or dying. He is enough. When you enter the Holy of Holies you do not need anything, because Jesus is enough.
—Dennis Kinslaw
This Day with the Master
In today’s reading, this sentence jumped off the page to me: “If you have tasted God’s holy immediate presence, you will not have much use for life without that intimacy.” How profound—and how true—this is! The premise behind evangelism is inviting people to ‘come and see’ for themselves, or as God invites Himself, “Taste and see that I am good” (Psalm 34:8). As you read this devotional thought today, have you tasted of God’s presence? As you pray, cry out to Him; let Him know you desire to know Him and to experience His presence more fully in your life. Be persistent in your prayers. Be like Jacob, refusing to let go, declaring, “I won’t let go until You bless me!” (Gen. 32:26). God will meet you in your desire. But beware! As the devotion promises, once you’ve tasted His goodness, life will never be the same again. And that is a very good thing! —DH
—David Hoskins, Founder & Care Guide, Sanctuary Clinics