For centuries, access to God was limited. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place—only once a year, and never without blood. But Jesus changed everything.

Hebrews 4 reveals a dramatic and liberating truth: Jesus is our Great High Priest, and through Him, the veil has been torn. We now have direct access to God—not through ritual, not through a human priest—but through grace.

The High Priest Who Understands Us

Let’s begin with the bold proclamation of Hebrews 4:

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

— Hebrews 4:14–16 (NIV)

Unlike the Old Testament high priests, Jesus doesn’t need to offer sacrifices for Himself. He is sinless. He walked where we walk, felt what we feel, and faced what we face. He understands. He invites us to approach the throne of grace with confidence.

A Glimpse into the Old Covenant

To understand the magnitude of this, we look back to Leviticus 16:1–4:

“The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the Lord. The Lord said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain… or else he will die. This is how Aaron is to enter the Most Holy Place: with a young bull for a sin offering and a ram for a burnt offering. He is to put on the sacred linen tunic… These are sacred garments; so he must bathe himself with water before he puts them on.’”

This sacred ritual happened only once a year—on the Day of Atonement, as outlined in Leviticus 23:27–32. It was the holiest of holy days, and yet even Aaron, the high priest, could not come near God casually. He went behind the veil trembling, carrying the blood for the people.

But Jesus?

Jesus tore the veil in two.

The Curtain Was Torn – A New Way Opened

At Jesus’ crucifixion, something incredible happened:

“From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice… And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.”

— Matthew 27:45–47, 50–51 (NIV)

That curtain separated people from the presence of God. It guarded the Ark of the Covenant. It reminded everyone that they were not holy enough to enter. But when Jesus died, the curtain split—not from bottom to top (as man would tear it), but from top to bottom. God Himself tore the barrier.

Grace Over Shame: From Mary to Mercy

This is where grace changes everything.

Under the old covenant, people like Mary—viewed as unclean, unwanted, or unworthy—would never be allowed in. But God, in His mercy, chose Mary, a young woman of no status, to carry the Messiah.

Why? Because the New Testament is about grace, not merit.

The Old Covenant came with law. The New Covenant came with Jesus. We don’t need to wait for a priest. We are the temple. The Spirit of God dwells in us.

“You yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst.”

— 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)

No matter the trial. No matter the temptation. Jesus has made a way.

We Now Walk in Grace

We don’t just hope for mercy. We stand in it. Grace is not hidden. You are a child of God—not because of your works, but because of His love.

“Now that the Lord your God has given them rest as he promised, return to your homes… But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.”

— Joshua 22:4–5 (NIV)

Even in the Old Testament, God’s desire was for relationship. Jesus has now made that possible—personally, intimately, eternally.

Written by Jeyran Main

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