Morning Meditation: "Therefore, brothers, 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 in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water." 

A simple command from the Father should have been enough for His children to obey, but every day they just couldn't help pushing the boundaries He had set for their safety. Just a few steps closer with each passing day - what could it possibly hurt? They were constantly being drawn to that one particular tree in the center of garden. What was so enticing about it? Why did the words "Don't touch!" "Don't taste!" stir such curiosity in their hearts? And why didn't they think to ask the One who had given them everything, instead of sneaking around behind His back? Maybe they would have found out that the fruit wasn't really forbidden, it was just meant to be obtained in a very different way. Maybe if they had waited patiently the Father would have shown them "a more excellent way." "For the LORD gives wisdom, and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6).

God is the Creator and benevolent dispenser of everything there is; and everything He gives us comes from His heart and not just His hands. To take before we ask is a selfish way to live, it shows a lack of gratitude to the One who freely gives. The fruit had been stolen, there was no way the sinful deed could be undone; because to erase the error completely would require reversing what had been done. The only one who could do this was One who was completely pure in life and motive, and who Himself was filled with the life-giving sap which produces the fruit from the tree of knowledge. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took on the flesh that caused man to sin, and made His way back to that tree through the deep wilderness of temptation. The road was filled with obstacles, a dark forest of evil had encroached upon the way, and briars and thorns grabbed and tore at His flesh as He forcibly pressed onward towards that tree. Man would have to participate in nailing his flesh upon that tree, but the life-giving blood that would be shed that day would produce the golden fruit of holiness, which to all who would humbly ask of Him would be freely given them as food to eat. "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood you have no life in you" (John 6:53)

Access to the Father has been made available to us through a "new and living way," and that door is always open when we enter in to His presence to pray. There is a reason why God the Father gave us the wonderful gift of prayer - it was provided so we would experience the extraordinary blessings of intimacy with Him, and never be afraid to ask for anything we need; and hopefully keep us from repeating the same selfish and foolish mistakes again. Access to God is found each day in the same way it was first achieved - with a humble, submissive spirit desiring only His perfect will. The more often we come to Him, seeking His hand and heart in prayer, the more He will teach us to ask of Him - with greater wisdom and knowledge - the things we really need the most. God wants us completely dependent on Him - He alone is to be our food - so we will in turn become spiritual "loaves and fishes" to a world in need of His golden fruit. Let us draw near to the Father this morning, praising His Son for opening the way, and ask Him for forgiveness for anything we've taken that didn't come from His hand; and let ask Him only to give us the very best He has for us today.

"It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus,

who has become for us wisdom from God -

that is our righteousness, holiness and redemption."

(1 Corinthians 1:30)

Afternoon Devotion: "...through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand."- Romans 5:2a

One can only imagine the terror that ensued in the hearts of the people who stood on the hillside when darkness fell upon the land and creation responded violently to the crucified Son of God. "At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split" (Matthew 27:51). All the separating acts of the days of Creation could not possibly compare to the brute force of the cry expelled from the Word become flesh when He gave up His spirit. "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" (v.46b). The whole earth shook in response to the humble cry that would awaken the heart of God to welcome sinful man into His holy presence. Only the One who knew what it truly meant to be separated from God could issue the cry that would grab hold of the heart of God and cause Him to tear in two the old written covenant.

"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.

It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf."

(Hebrews 6:19, 20a)