In January, I had the privilege of serving as one of the faculty members facilitating the Holy Land January Term travel course. This was my third trip; I went once before as a missionary kid and once as a student on a study course. While every trip is meaningful, every trip is different and enriching in surprising ways.
One impression resulted from seeing the holiest site in Judaism, the Western Wall, where people prayed fervently and crammed little pieces of paper between the giant stones. We also saw the third holiest site in Islam, the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound with the golden Dome of the Rock, where people pray devotedly five times a day.
So, I left wondering, “What is the holiest site in Christianity?” We saw many places where Jesus may have been. We saw a lot of veneration at sites that had traditional links—but also unverifiable. However, there is little that can be corroborated as being a place where Jesus actually was. I’m actually glad! My faith is not in a holy place, but in the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, who we reflect upon during this Lenten season. It is this text from Hebrews 4:14–16 that reframes our understanding of what is a holy place.
14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (NRSV)
Our holiest place is not an earthly vestige. Our throne of grace is accessible anywhere in the world— through prayer! It was at the moment of the death of Christ that the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom, tearing the veil that was the barrier between humankind and the throne of grace (Mark 15:37–38). Now the barrier is gone! So, this holy place is not just for the privileged who can travel to see these sites. It is for all who call upon our great high priest. And the result is good news, “…that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” So remember, in prayer—wherever we are—we can boldly approach the holiest of Christian places, the throne of grace!
