Near and Far

Exodus 24 (English Standard Version)

1 Then he said to Moses, "Come up to the LORD, you and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and worship from afar.

2 Moses alone shall come near to the LORD, but the others shall not come near, and the people shall not come up with him."

Near and far. Only Moses was allowed to come near. Not even Aaron, the "grand-daddy of all high-priests" was allowed to come near!

Ephesians 2

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called "the uncircumcision" by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands—12remember that you were at that time separated from Christ,alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

Far=

* Defined by who we aren't (Israelites), and by our lack of covenant relationship to God "the uncircumcision"

* separated from Christ

* Alienated from the commonwealth of Israel (see #1- must be really important!)

* Strangers to the covenants of promise (ditto)

* having no hope and without God in the world (the worst 8 words in the Bible)

Ephesians 2

13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.14For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Near=
* Brought near by the blood of Christ- moved to the front of the line ahead of Aaron et al.

* Peace

* Free access- The dividing wall of hostility is broken down

* Reconciled to God

and

Hebrews 4

4 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God,let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

* confident, bold in prayer on the basis of our better high priest and better covenant