May 18, 2004

THE NEW AND LIVING WAY

"Therefore... having boldness to enter the Holiest... by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh... let us draw near" (Hebrews 10:19-22, NKJV).

The imagery of the "new and living way" is rich in meaning for Christ's followers. The word, way, signifies a "road," a "thoroughfare," a "street" or "highway." Our Lord Himself declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). All roads may lead to Rome, but only one leads to God, and that one road is Jesus (see 1 John 5:11-13). In his theology of the heavenly sanctuary, the apostle Paul takes the imagery of the way still further. He depicts Christ as not only the way to God, but also as the "new and living way" to Him. What exactly does the apostle mean by the "new and living way"?

The incarnation opened a new means of access to our heavenly Father (see Hebrews 2:17). Such a way did not previously exist until Christ became incarnate. Jesus is the new way also in the sense that He is always fresh, relevant, and efficacious. He never needs to be updated or upgraded. He is always new.

But Christ is still more than new; He is described as the "new and living way," The word, living, brings an added dimension to Christ as the only way to God. He is the living Christ who is alive forever more. His resurrection is His credential to be the living way. The living way of Christ is in contrast with the dead sacrifice offered under the old covenant. As the new and living way, Christ gives us unlimited access to God and the unfailing assurance of eternal life. "The great sacrifice has been made. The way into the holiest is laid open. A new and living way is prepared for all."--The Desire of Ages, p. 757.

My Prayer Today: Lord, in my journey to the kingdom, may I never deviate from the new and living way. Amen.