The Gift of Access: Coming Boldly to the Throne of Grace

If you’d like a shorter, pocket-sized version of this devotional series, I created a 7-day “Gifts of Jesus” guide that offers quick daily Scripture, reflection, and prayer prompts. It pairs beautifully with what you’re about to read – Day 2 “The Gift of Access.”

The Distance That Once Separated

In the Old Testament, access to God was restricted, dangerous, and mediated. The only people who had direct access to God were from the tribe of Levi and the line of Aaron. This was a dangerous position and demanded the utmost respect and obedience. The very structure of the tabernacle—and later the temple—communicated this distance. Outer court for Gentiles. Inner court for Jewish men. Court of priests for the Levites. And at the very center, behind a massive veil, the Holy of Holies where God’s presence dwelt.

Only the high priest could enter that sacred space, and even he could only do so once a year on the Day of Atonement. He went in with blood, incense, and the names of the twelve tribes on his shoulders and over his heart. He went in trembling, knowing that one misstep—one impure thought, one incorrect procedure—could mean death in the presence of a holy God (Leviticus 16:1-2).

The people had to go through the priests to request sacrificial forgiveness of sins. If you sinned, you couldn’t approach God directly. You brought your lamb or your goat to the priest. You laid your hands on its head, symbolically transferring your guilt to an innocent substitute. The priest performed the sacrifice. The blood was shed. And you walked away, knowing the process would need to be repeated again and again because the blood of bulls and goats could never truly take away sins (Hebrews 10:4).

This system was a profound visual lesson about the cost of sin and the holiness of God. Sin creates separation. God is holy, and we are not. The distance between us is real, and bridging it requires blood, death, a perfect mediator. For centuries, God’s people lived with this constant reminder: you cannot approach God on your own terms or in your own strength.

The Veil Torn in Two

But upon Jesus’ death on the cross, God tore the veil from top to bottom, thus ending our separation from God (Matthew 27:51). Not from bottom to top, which would suggest human effort. But from top to bottom—a divine act, God’s own hand ripping open the barrier that separated Him from His people.

The timing is significant. Jesus had just cried out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). The perfect sacrifice had been offered. The Lamb of God had borne the sins of the world. The wrath of God had been satisfied. And in that moment, the veil that had barred access to God’s presence for over a thousand years was torn open.

What this meant was staggering. The system was over. The old covenant, with its endless sacrifices and restricted access, had been fulfilled and replaced. No more going through human priests. No more repeated sacrifices. No more waiting outside while one man once a year approached God on behalf of the people. The way into God’s presence had been opened permanently through Christ’s blood (Hebrews 10:19-20).

When we approach our God with the atoning blood of Christ applied to our account, we have full liberty to come to Him at any time of day. Not timid access or the fearful approach of someone who isn’t sure they’ll be accepted. Bold access—the access of a beloved child who knows they’re welcome in their Father’s presence (Romans 5:1-2).

We are able to bring all of our petitions, trials, praises, straight to the throne of the most high God. No intermediary required except Jesus Himself, who is both fully God and fully man, the perfect mediator between heaven and earth (1 Timothy 2:5). When you pray, you’re not shouting into the void hoping someone hears. You’re approaching the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that your High Priest has already secured your acceptance.

Living in Bold Access

This gift of access transforms how you relate to God daily. We are able to come to God in repentance and receive immediate forgiveness on the basis of Christ’s blood (1 John 1:9). You don’t have to wait until you’ve cleaned yourself up. You don’t have to perform religious rituals to earn an audience with God. The moment you sin, you can confess it to your Father and receive forgiveness—not because you deserve it, but because Christ’s sacrifice covers it.

This is radically different from how many existing religions typically work. Most religious systems put barriers between worshipers and God—hoops to jump through, requirements to meet, levels of spirituality to achieve before you can approach. But God’s Word says the barrier has been removed. Christ has opened the way. Come boldly. Come freely. Come often.

Our lives on earth are richly blessed in the communion we have with the Father, through our relationship with Christ, and the daily help of the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts. Think about what this means practically. When you’re overwhelmed, you have immediate access to the God who holds all things together (Colossians 1:17). When you’re tempted, you can run to the throne of grace and find help in your time of need. When you’re confused, you can ask for wisdom, and God gives generously without finding fault (James 1:5).

You’re not left to navigate life on your own, hoping to get God’s attention occasionally. You have constant, unhindered access to Him. Prayer isn’t a formal ritual reserved for special occasions—it’s ongoing conversation with your Father who is always available, always listening, always ready to help His children.

And this is just the beginning. One day, our full communion with God will be restored as we live in eternity on the New Earth and God coming to live among His people (Revelation 21:3). The gift of access we have now is glorious, but it’s still limited by our fallenness, our weak faith, our divided attention. But in the new creation, we will see Him face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12). The communion Adam and Eve knew in the garden before the fall will be ours again—and even greater, because we’ll know God as our Redeemer, not just our Creator.

Our communion with our loving Father—No more barriers. No more separation. No more waiting. Just unending fellowship with the God who loved us enough to tear the veil and open the way home.

Reflection Questions

1. Do you approach God boldly, or do you still relate to Him as if the veil were still in place—as if you need to earn access or clean yourself up first?
2. When you sin, is your first instinct to run to God or hide from Him? What does your answer reveal about how you understand Christ’s gift of access?
3. How would your prayer life change if you truly believed you have unrestricted access to God’s throne of grace at any moment?
4. In what practical ways can you take advantage of this gift of access this week—bringing your struggles, confessions, requests, and praise directly to God?

Prayer

Consider the areas where you’ve been treating God as distant or difficult to approach. Thank Jesus for tearing the veil and opening permanent access to the Father. Ask Him to help you live in the reality of confident, bold access to God’s throne.

If this devotional on the gift of access encouraged you and you’d like to study the sovereignty of God or His abundant mercy toward us, consider reading further in:

Messianic Prophecies Series ->

Abundant Mercy Series ->