Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 3/12/2005

Question
Hi,

    Thankyou for taking my question. I have been doing a lot of reading regarding how the Old Testament Jews did not have the access to God as we do today, and how approaching him in the holy of holies caused death. Jesus is our doorway to God. But what I dont understand is how things were actually (experientially) different for them in relating to God than for christians today. Did they pray? If so, why is that any different then our relationship with GOd today. We cant really do any more than pray to Him to FEEL close to him, so if they also prayed to him what was so different about their relationship to him.I understand that Jesus took away our sin. I understand that well. But what I dont understand is how, on an emotional level, if I am praying to GOd, how is my level of intimacy with him any different than the ancient Jew. Did it somehow feel different for them to pray?  

Answer
Hello Pete,
Thanks for your question. I would like to deal with it at two levels, first the theological and then the experiential.

Theologically you are quite right that the major difference is that we bring our prayers in the name of Jesus, that is through the merits of what He did for us at Calvary. This assures us of access to the Father who we can call 'Abba', a term of great intimacy and devotion. However, we also pray in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit did not indwell Old Testament characters as He does us today. The Holy Spirit is the 'other counsellor' that Jesus promised in John 14. The Holy Spirit within us is the Spirit of truth and guides as we pray, even interpretting our groanings which are two deep for words. See Romans 8:26-27.
Experientially the key difference also lies in the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit who testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. All feelings of assurance come from Him. We are told in scripture to be filled with the Spirit (present continuous tense, meaning 'go on being filled with the Spirit), live by the Spirit and keep in step with the Spirit.
I would caution against living the Christian life too much at a feeling level. We know God is close to us because of His word, whether we feel that closeness or not. Similarly we know His love by faith even if at times we do not feel very loved. However, there are times of great feeling in the Christian life and they come as we stay close to God and allow His Spirit to fill us by welling up within and overflowing. This is a privilege Old Testament folk did not have except on a rare occasion when God gave His Spirit for a limited time and particular purpose. He is now the presence of the living God within us.
I hope these comments are of some help to you and wish you God's blessing.
Stuart Woodward.