337. Appear before God for us
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.
Christ entered into the true holy place, into the very presence of the invisible God in heaven. The physical Holy Place on earth is a mere pattern or copy of the real thing in heaven. Into that holy place Jesus entered. When He arrived in heaven in the presence of God He was carrying His shed blood with Him and presenting it before God. The Almighty God accepted the blood sacrifice for our sins, and on account of Jesus God accepted us forever.
Even greater than Christ Himself entering into the presence of God is the fact that He invites us to come in with Christ: we may enter into the Holy Place where God dwells. This is awesome to think about: we sinful human being are actually invited before the presence of God. The very God, the Judge of Creation, who may take His awesome power and justly consume us in anger over our Sin and Rebellion, will in actual fact welcome us with open arms of Love and Forgiveness. God, for Christ’s sake, declares us righteous. He does not destroy, but saves; He does not kill, but makes alive.
We are invited to appear any time in the very presence of God. We do so by repentance and faith and prayer in Jesus’ name after hearing Law and Gospel in the Word of God. We have full access to the heart of God; we have open access to His ears to hear our pleas. We may not avail ourselves of this privilege and opportunity as often as we should, but still, the presence of God is always nearby and He is ready to hear any time. This promise means for us that we do not need to worry about our problems, or dwell on them, or even hang on to them. The Lord is ready and willing and loving enough to take our worries, cares, problems, and frustrations upon Him. We may enter in with Christ with confidence and expectation. “Come unto me, ye that are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”