From Distance to Nearness

Verse of the Day: Ephesians 2:13 NKJV

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Under the old covenant, God often emphasised the distance between Himself and sinful humanity. Even Moses, His faithful servant, was instructed to stay back, and when God revealed Himself on Mount Sinai, He commanded that boundaries be set to keep the people away from His holy presence. Throughout the worship practices of the tabernacle and the temple, this separation was clear—only the priests could enter the inner court, and only the high priest, once a year, could approach the Holy of Holies. These boundaries symbolised how sin had created a vast gulf between God and humanity.

However, when Christ came, everything changed. The command to “stay away” was replaced with the invitation to “come near.” Through Jesus, the distance was removed, and we who were once far away were brought near by His blood. Jesus, God incarnate, removed the barrier that separated us from God, taking the penalty of our sins upon Himself. Now, He invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him and find rest. No longer must we stand at a distance, for Jesus has made a way for us to draw close to God.

This closeness with God is not only a privilege but also a place of safety. Do you live in the awareness of this nearness? Do you experience the joy of knowing that you can approach God freely, without fear? What a wonderful reality it is to be near to God through Jesus—and yet, even this is just a taste of the greater nearness we will experience when God fully dwells with His people. What a glorious day that will be!

Reflection

Take a moment to reflect on the following verses:

Hebrews 10:19-22; Revelation 21:3

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for bringing me near to You through the sacrifice of Jesus. Help me to live in the joy and power of this closeness every day. Draw me even closer, and may I never take for granted the privilege of being near You.