In the Old Testament times, a veil separated the part of the Temple where God was from the part where the priests and people were. Only the High Priest could go through this veil, and then only once a year, and then only if he brought the blood of animal sacrifices with him. But by offering the perfect and complete sacrifice for all His people, Jesus thus made a permanent way through this veil, making all the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament no longer necessary.

But why does all that matter for us? Simply this – that all who trust in Christ don’t just have a Great High Priest on the other side of the veil, praying for us in some faraway Heavenly Court. No, our Great High Priest ushers all His people into the very presence of God. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross makes it possible to do what verse 21 says, to go through the veil and draw near to God Himself, to live our lives in the very presence of God every day.

So, how would our lives be different, if we maintained an awareness of God’s presence with us? I’d like to think we would clean up our act as verse 22 says, but not because we are afraid of being punished. No, we should want to live godly lives because of our faith, because we trust that God loves us and that God knows what’s best for us. Knowing that God is always with us should also help us to live our lives in hope, regardless of the circumstances of our lives. For if God is with us, we can be sure that He will be faithful to His promises, not only to save us from our sins, but to use all our troubles to make us more and more into the likeness of Christ every day.

Moreover, being aware of the presence of God should transform our relationships with one another. Knowing how much God loves us should motivate us to love and bless others, and to encourage them to do the same. And the more we love God and love God’s people, of course we’ll want to gather to worship God. Of course we’ll delight in the fellowship of the saints.

But it all starts, not with resolutions for better behavior or for more Bible study or for more regular church attendance. It starts with an awareness, an assurance that in Jesus Christ, God is with us all the time. Let’s trust Him and live like that’s true today.

Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)

19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.