The Jewish people were the first evangelists. Just think what would have happened had they not shared the good news of the Messiah. Jesus, named Yeshua in their native Hebrew tongue, may have come first for the Jew, but He came for the entire world.

Imagine yourself entering the Temple in biblical times that Jesus [Yeshua] frequented…

As you cross the threshold, you come to the square, bronze altar where the priest waits to offer your lamb as a sacrifice. We can now see this altar as our sacrifice of praise, where we surrender our hopes, dreams, future, spouse, children, or job to God in prayer.

Next, you come to the bronze basin. Before entering the Holy Place, you wash your hands and feet; you must be clean. Exodus 30:21 says, “They shall wash their hands and their feet, so they may not die. It shall be a statute forever to them, even to him [Aaron] and his offspring throughout their generations.”

Yeshua washed us clean once and for all as our Sacrificial Lamb. As we enter His presence in our imperfection, we wash by confessing and repenting for our sin. Now we are clean to enter the Holy Place.

As you walk through the veil into the Holy Place, you see the menorah on your left with its seven lamps lighting your way to the Holy of Holies. We will never again walk in darkness because Yeshua is the Light of the World. John 8:12b ESV reads,

“I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

On your right, the gold table holds the steaming bread of the Presence. The warm, moist air from the fresh, baked artisan bread surrounds you. Yeshua is the true Bread from Heaven; the Bread of Life. You will never hunger once you have eaten this Bread. John 6:47-48 ESV reads,

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.  I am the bread of life.”

Ahead of you is the altar of incense before the veil which leads to the Holy of Holies. This golden table holds a fragrance of sweet and spicy licorice. We are a sweet aroma to the Lord as Yeshua leads us into God’s presence.

We are a sweet aroma to the Lord as Yeshua leads us into God’s presence. @DPavlantos #Temple #Lamb Click To Tweet

A thick veil made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn with cherubim woven into it separates all but the high priest from the Most Holy Place. YHWH (God) descended onto the gold-plated Ark of the Covenant and mercy seat.

Never to be closed again, God ripped this veil from top to bottom so we have access to Him. This happened during the crucifixion as Yeshua died. Luke 23:45b reads,

And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

Yeshua gave us this access because of what He accomplished at Calvary’s cross. This was a sight to behold! Our High Priest Jesus allows us to approach his throne with boldness to find grace and receive mercy in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16 KJV reads,

Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace,

that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When we pray, we approach God starting from the outer courts and make our way to the innermost Holy of Holies. When God addresses our needs, desires, or problems, He goes straight to our Holy of Holies—our heart and spirit—then out to our courts—our physical body. But, we approach God starting from the outside through praise and worship and from there to his intimate presence, where He shows us his desires and will for us.

Let’s apply this scenario to today. I’ll use myself as an example.

In prayer, I take my time getting to the heart of God. I worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by personalizing scripture: You are a good Father, worthy of praise, Faithful and True, rich in mercy, loving, kind, compassionate, my Savior, Redeemer, teacher, Helper… I praise Him, reminding and thanking him for answered prayers.

Next, I confess and repent for my sins, Yeshua washes off the grime of my sin so I can move toward intimacy with him.

As I step closer into his presence, I lift loved ones, my needs, questions, and desires. I ask for truth, discernment, wisdom, and peace to know his will. I seek his heart for me and for those I love.

When God responds he goes right to my spirit. He takes care of my heart problems first. Sometimes, he reveals a motive behind my questions or hurt. The Lord may bring Scripture to my mind to answer my need or fill me with his love. He fills me with peace, calming my fears or distress. God cares for my physical needs (or my court).

How can you apply this to your relationship with the Savior? He is waiting to escort you into the Holiest place through prayer.

Lord Yeshua, cleanse me and make me whole. Inspire me to come to You daily, and renew my commitment to seek You with my whole heart. Amen.

Copyright 2019: The Temple: Author Stephanie Pavlantos: All Rights Reserved

Adapted from Jewels from Hebrews (awaiting publication) by Author Stephanie Pavlantos, Used with Permission 2019.

[i] Eli Lizorkin-Eyzenberg, The Jewish Gospel of John, (Tel Mond, Israel: Israel Study Center, 2015) xi-xiii

Meet Our Contributor

STEPHANIE PAVLANTOS

Stephanie Pavlantos is passionate about getting people into God’s Word. She is working on a Bible study entitled, Jewels of Hebrews. She and her husband, Mike, have been married for 26 years and have three college students, Matthew, Alexandria, and Michael.  She is a published writer for Refresh Bible study magazine, Charisma magazine, and Christian Broadcasting Network.

CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE PAVLANTOS AT:

www.stephaniepavlantos.com

In The Heavenly Places Facebook Page

BOOK LINKS:

Stephanie Pavlantos Books