416. Friday after Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.
Lord, give us truth in the heart,
and the full assurance of faith. Amen.
Hebrews 10, 19-25. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having an high priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as ye see the day approaching.
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The veil barred the way to the holy of holies in the tabernacle; our flesh, that is our corrupted human nature, barred our way to heaven. But Christ was made flesh, yet without sin, and thus with his blood entered the presence of God for us; thereby “consecrating for us a new and living way.” Himself by his death becomes our way to eternal life (John 14, 6). Having ‘‘put on Christ,” and having been consecrated as priests (Exodus 29), and having had the soul sprinkled and cleansed with the blood of Jesus by the washing of the body with the pure, or holy, water of baptism, we have “boldness to enter into the holiest,” and are able to speak to God without fear concerning everything which we have at heart. “By one offering Christ hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” He has entirely taken away all our guilt, and overcome the sin in us; so that we have perfect righteousness, and the power of perfect holiness. And now “he ever liveth to make intercession for us.” — Let us, then, come before God with a “true heart”; with a heart wholly honest; with one which does not wish to keep and conceal anything; but to reveal everything, and be cleansed from all sin. And “let us draw nigh in full assurance of faith,” not doubting that the blood of Jesus is counted payment in full of every debt, and assured that God is glad to see and hear us. This “boldness to enter into the holiest,” this courage to speak freely in the presence of God, this “true heart” and this purity, and this “full assurance of faith” in a good conscience; — how glorious and how precious are these things! Thus, then, let us walk in the new and living way! Thus let us confess our hope; thus let us be united in love! These three things our Bible lesson teaches us. Help us, O God, to do them, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.*
His Spirit in me dwelleth,
And o’er my mind he reigns.
All sorrow he dispelleth
And soothes away all pains.
He crowns his work with blessing,
And helpeth me to cry
“My Father’’ without ceasing,
To him who dwells on high.
[TLH 528 (listen here); or LSB 724, ELH 517 (listen here); or listen below]
* Here the head of the family says a short morning or evening prayer in his own words, and closes with the Lord’s Prayer and the Benediction. This is to be done every day. If the stanzas are not sung, they may be read in their proper place before the impromptu petition and the Lord’s Prayer.