Hebrews 10:20

Hebrews 10:20 describes the profound access believers have to God through the finished work of Jesus Christ. This verse culminates a powerful argument in the book of Hebrews about the superiority of Christ's sacrifice and priesthood over the Old Testament sacrificial system.

Context

This verse is part of a larger exhortation in Hebrews 10, following detailed explanations in chapters 8 and 9 about the inadequacy of the Old Covenant sacrifices and the supremacy of Christ's once-for-all offering. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that through Jesus' death, believers now have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. Verse 20 specifically explains how this new access is granted.

Key Themes

• The New and Living Way: Unlike the temporary and repeated sacrifices of the Old Covenant, Jesus inaugurated a permanent and life-giving path to God. This way is "new" because it replaces the old system and "living" because it is sustained by the resurrected Christ and leads to eternal life. It signifies a radical shift from mediated access through priests to direct communion with God.
• Christ's Consecration: Jesus himself "consecrated" or dedicated this way for us. His perfect life and sacrificial death were the means by which this path was established and made holy. This underscores His unique role as both the sacrifice and the High Priest who opens the way.
• The Torn Veil: The imagery of the "veil" is highly significant. In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, a thick veil separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant and God's presence were believed to dwell. Only the High Priest could enter this sacred space, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The tearing of this veil at Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) symbolized the immediate and unrestricted access to God that Christ's sacrifice provided, rendering the old system obsolete.
• His Flesh as the Veil: The startling phrase "that is to say, his flesh" identifies Christ's crucified body as the ultimate veil. Just as the physical temple veil was torn to reveal the Most Holy Place, so Christ's body was "torn" through suffering and death, opening the way into God's presence. His humanity, in its suffering and death, became the means of our access.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "consecrated" is enkainizō (ἐγκαινίζω), meaning "to inaugurate," "to dedicate," or "to make new." It suggests a fresh, definitive beginning, emphasizing that this path is not merely an improvement but a completely new and established reality. The term "living way" (ὁδὸν ζῶσαν, hodon zōsan) highlights that this access is dynamic, active, and life-giving, contrasting with the dead rituals of the past.

Significance and Application

Hebrews 10:20 offers immense comfort and assurance to believers. It reminds us that:

• Direct Access: We no longer need human mediators or animal sacrifices to approach God. Through Jesus, we have direct, personal access to the Father, enabling intimate fellowship and prayer. This aligns with the promise of a new covenant where God's law is written on our hearts.
• Confidence in Approach: Because the way is "new and living" and "consecrated" by Christ himself, we can approach God's throne with confidence and boldness, not fear (Hebrews 4:16).
• The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice: The verse powerfully reinforces that Jesus' death was fully sufficient to accomplish atonement and open the way to God. There is nothing more to add or do to gain access.

This verse encourages us to live in the reality of our privileged position, drawing near to God frequently and confidently through the finished work of our Lord Jesus Christ.