Merriam-Webster defines intimacy as a state of close, familiar, and deep personal connection with another person based on trust, vulnerability, and mutual understanding. Intimacy is often developed through long association. It is a process that never ends, but it expands and deepens between people over time. I sat down and thought about what makes my relationship with my dearest friends close and intimate. It is the removal of a veil, a curtain that bares the unashamed nakedness of the inner person. Such relationships are able to be forged because both parties decide to be authentic and show their true selves. No smoke and mirrors, nor duplicity. I realized this authenticity mirrors our relationship with the Lord.
Matthew 27:51 AMP
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.
When Jesus was crucified, He offered Himself as a sinless offering to the Father in Heaven. His sacrifice removed the veil, a divider that made it impossible for man to intimately commune with the Heavenly Father. This veil was brought about by the introduction of sin. It separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies). The Holy of Holies housed the Ark of the Covenant and Aaron’s staff. In the Old Testament, God’s presence dwelled in this portion of the tabernacle. Only anointed priests could enter into the Holy of Holies during Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) to offer sacrifice unto the Lord on behalf of themselves and the Israelites.
Heb 9:11-14 NKJV
11 But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. 12 Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
Jesus’ sacrifice was so great that it atoned (covered, paid in full) for our sins. The veil being torn allows us to have a deeply intimate and personal relationship with the Lord. This means He is not a mystery to us! His will becomes known, His wisdom is revealed, and His nature is uncovered! Jesus is the key to our intimate communication with our Heavenly Father. This communion is not figurative; this is an actual Spirit-to-spirit communion. Scripture says that our spirit communicates with God and affirms that we are children of God, having been adopted and made new.
Romans 8:15 AMP
15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!”
Having been adopted into the Kingdom of God, I’ve had to practice authenticity daily. I set aside my old, clandestine ways and adopted godly behavior. I am constantly confessing things to the Lord and pouring out my heart to Him because I know He deeply cares for me. As a result, I’ve received greater intimacy with the Lord. Intimacy is a never-ending source.Thus, there is always more to learn of the Lord’s nature; thus, there is always room for our relationships with others to deepen as our understanding of the Lord deepens. He is our Father who deeply cares for us.
Go in peace <3