A Narrative on How Christ's Death and Resurrection Make Our Prayers Privileged According to the Amplified Bible (AMP)
“It is finished”
Introduction
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are central to the Christian faith, not only because they secure salvation for us believers but also because they transform the nature of our relationship with God. Before Christ’s sacrifice, access to God was limited, mediated through priests and confined to specific rituals. However, Christ’s atoning death and victorious resurrection have granted us believers direct and unfettered access to the Father. This privileged access is a remarkable aspect of the new covenant, allowing believers to approach God with confidence and assurance in prayer. Have you ever just taken a minute and thought what an amazing privilege it is to be able to actually speak to The Creator of The Universe, and KNOW that He hears you and will respond? Take a moment now and do so, SELAH!
This narrative will explore how Christ's death and resurrection have changed our approach to God, using the Amplified Bible (AMP) to provide a comprehensive understanding.
The Privilege of Access Through Christ's Sacrifice
The Veil Torn: Symbol of Unrestricted Access
At the moment of Christ’s death, a significant event occurred in the temple: the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. This act symbolized the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, allowing direct access to God’s presence.
Matthew 27:50-51 (AMP): "And Jesus cried out again with a loud, agonized voice, and gave up His spirit [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. And [at once] the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; the earth shook and the rocks were split apart."
The tearing of the veil signifies that through Christ’s sacrifice, the separation caused by sin was removed, granting believers direct access to God. No longer confined to the intercession of priests, believers can now approach God freely in prayer and at will.
Jesus as Our High Priest
Christ’s death and resurrection established Him as our eternal High Priest. Unlike the priests of the old covenant who had to repeatedly offer sacrifices, Jesus offered Himself once for all, securing eternal redemption. His role as High Priest means that He continually intercedes for believers, providing a direct line to the Father.
Hebrews 4:14-16 (AMP): "Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already] ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]."
Jesus' role as our High Priest gives us the confidence to approach God boldly, knowing that He understands our struggles and has made a way for us to receive mercy and grace.
The New and Living Way
Through His death, Jesus inaugurated a new and living way for us to approach God. This new way is characterized by life, in contrast to the old system of sacrifices that dealt only with the outward purification of sin. Jesus’ resurrection affirms His victory over death and opens the way for believers to enter God’s presence with full assurance of faith.
Hebrews 10:19-22 (AMP): "Therefore, believers, since we have confidence and full freedom to enter the Holy Place [the place where God dwells] by means of the blood of Jesus, by this new and living way which He initiated and opened for us through the veil [as in the Holy of Holies], that is, through His flesh, and since we have a great and wonderful Priest [who rules] over the house of God, let us approach [God] with a true and sincere heart in unqualified assurance of faith, having had our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water."
This scripture underscores the freedom and confidence believers have to approach God, made possible through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection.
The Spirit’s Role in Prayer
Christ’s death and resurrection also opened the way for the Holy Spirit to dwell within us believers, guiding and empowering us in our prayer lives. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to God’s will, ensuring that our prayers align with His purposes.
Romans 8:26-27 (AMP): "In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness; we do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. And He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because the Spirit intercedes [before God] on behalf of God’s people in accordance with God’s will."
The Holy Spirit’s role is crucial in helping us believers pray effectively, making their prayers more powerful and aligned with God’s will.
Summary
Christ’s death and resurrection have fundamentally transformed the believer’s approach to prayer, granting us complete and unfettered access to the Father. The tearing of the temple veil, the establishment of Jesus as our eternal High Priest, and the inauguration of a new and living way all underscore the privileged position us believers now have in approaching God. Additionally, the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers and guides our prayers, ensuring they are effective and aligned with God’s will. Understanding and applying these principles helps believers to approach God with confidence and assurance, knowing that their prayers are not only heard and valued, but also answered, because of the completed work of Christon the cross. As it is forever spoken to us in John 19:30 (AMP) “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And He bowed His head and [voluntarily] gave up His spirit.”
If You Have Ears To Hear, Then Hear It!
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