Draw Near: Access to God Through Christ's Veil

Standing at the turn of the year, Hebrews 10:19-25 is lifted up as a steadying word for weary saints. The passage declares that access to God is now open “by a new and living way” through Jesus’ torn flesh. The imagery of the temple’s Most Holy Place—once off-limits behind a heavy curtain—is brought into focus. Only the high priest could enter, and only with blood, because God is holy and sin separates. But Jesus, the greater High Priest, offered himself once for all, satisfying justice and tearing the veil. The barrier is gone; the way is open. That is not a metaphor. It is real access, purchased by real blood. The greatest gift of the gospel is not merely protection or a home in heaven—it is God himself, welcomed friendship with the Holy One.

From this gospel, three commands steady tired hearts. First: draw near. Come with a true heart and full assurance because the price has been paid. Draw near through Scripture, through prayer—unhurried, honest, even silent with instrumental worship in the background—and through worship that re-centers the soul. This is where healing, forgiveness, and courage are found. Second: hold fast the confession of hope. Biblical hope is not wishful thinking; it rests on the character of God who “promised” and is faithful. In a world that can strip property, status, or safety, there remains an untouchable future—eternity with Jesus—that steadies trembling hands and keeps the soul from trading the eternal for the temporary. Third: encourage one another and refuse isolation. Withdrawal feels natural under pressure, but it is dangerous. Alone, temptation grows loud and God’s truth grows faint. Even Jesus, on the night of deepest anguish, sought his friends’ nearness. Christians must show up—Sundays, studies, recovery groups, small groups—and be seen; those who are strong must seek those who are drifting.

A final picture lingers: a quiet, green trail open to an entire city, yet empty. That is often how access to God goes unused. The invitation rings out: don’t miss the beauty you have permission to enter. Draw near. Hold fast. Encourage. The door is open, and his presence is the prize.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. Draw near with confident hearts Full access to God has been opened by Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice. Shame and hesitation are answered by his blood, not our performance. Practice presence: open the Bible, slow down in prayer, worship until your heart catches up with truth. Healing, cleansing, and courage meet those who come. [40:07]
• 2. Hold fast to a certain hope Christian hope is anchored in the character of God, not the weather of our circumstances. Don’t trade what is eternal for what is immediate; set your grip on the promised future with Jesus. Even loss can’t reach the inheritance kept for you. God has spoken, and he will keep his word. [41:49]
• 3. Fight isolation; choose embodied community Pressure pushes people to withdraw, but isolation is where faith erodes and lies grow loud. The church gathers to stir love and provoke good works, not as a habit box but as a lifeline. Even Jesus sought his friends in Gethsemane; if he leaned on community, how much more do we? Show up, be known, and encourage others to do the same. [44:56]
• 4. Access to God is the treasure The greatest gift is not merely what God gives, but God himself. The torn veil means friendship with the Holy One—near, real, and restoring. Don’t let busyness or shame leave that beauty unused; taste again the nearness that reorders desires and renews strength. [37:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [25:31] - Youth Pastor Sunday banter
• [26:32] - Modern access and ancient barriers
• [28:28] - Reading Hebrews 10:19-25
• [31:58] - Three commands to stay faithful
• [32:37] - Draw near: the Holy of Holies
• [35:25] - Jesus our once-for-all High Priest
• [36:34] - The torn curtain and open access
• [40:33] - How to draw near: Word, prayer, worship
• [41:49] - Hold fast: a hope that doesn’t waver
• [44:33] - Stir one another to love and good works
• [44:56] - The danger of isolation
• [46:32] - Practical on-ramps into community
• [49:47] - Don’t miss the beauty of access
• [51:08] - Invitation: salvation, membership, prayer

Bible reading

Hebrews 10:19-25

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Observation questions

1. In Hebrews 10:19-22, what reasons are given for why believers can “draw near”? Point out the phrases about “the blood of Jesus,” “a new and living way,” “through the curtain,” and “a great priest.”
2. In Hebrews 10:22-25, what are the three “let us” commands? What attitudes or actions are tied to each one (true heart, full assurance, without wavering, consider how to stir up, not neglecting to meet, encouraging)?
3. What specific pressures were those early believers facing that made them want to quit (shame, property plundered, loss of family/community)? [29:55]
4. What practical ways to “draw near” were urged (Word, prayer with instrumental worship, unhurried worship that re-centers the heart)? [40:56]

Interpretation questions

1. “Through the curtain, that is, his flesh” (Hebrews 10:20) ties the temple veil to Jesus’ body. What does that teach about God’s holiness and why real blood was necessary for real access?
2. If “he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23), how does that redefine hope when circumstances get worse, not better? Where is that hope anchored?
3. Why is withdrawal spiritually dangerous, and how do verses 24-25 describe the antidote? How does Jesus seeking his friends in Gethsemane reinforce this? [45:51]
4. If the torn veil means real access now (Hebrews 10:19-22), what would it look like to treat access as real rather than symbolic in weekly rhythms? [36:34]

Application questions

1. When have you felt an “invisible wall” of shame keeping you at the back? What would it look like this week to “draw near” with a true heart—name the time, place, and plan. For example: a 20-minute walk with instrumental worship playing and simple, honest prayer. [40:56]
2. Identify one “immediate” thing you’re tempted to grab that could make you trade the eternal for the temporary. What step will help you reset your grip on the promised future with Jesus? [42:21]
3. Pick one concrete gathering you will show up to in the next 7 days (Sunday service, Celebrate Recovery Monday, Wednesday study, small group, Financial Peace). Who will you text to go with you? [46:32]
4. Who is one person drifting toward isolation that you will contact in the next 24 hours? What will you say to encourage them and invite them to be seen? [47:19]
5. Set a weekly “green trail” appointment with God. When and where will it be? What do you need to turn off or leave behind to enjoy the beauty of access? [49:47]
6. Read Hebrews 10:19-22 out loud. What lie about your past or performance keeps you hesitant to draw near? Replace it with the truth that the curtain is torn and the way is open; what will you do when that lie returns? [36:34]
7. In light of “let us consider how to stir up one another,” who will you stir up toward a specific good work this week, and how will you do it? [44:33]