Make It Home Together

You were not meant to make it to the end of the Christian life alone.

Jesus does bring sinners personally near to God. That is gloriously true. But He does not merely save isolated individuals and leave them to travel alone. By His blood, Jesus brings His people into the presence of God and into a family of redeemed people who help one another keep going.

The people around you in the gathered church are not incidental to your faith. They are part of God’s grace to you. The gathered church is a blood-bought gift to steward. So let us draw near to God, hold fast to His promises, and consider one another so that we can all make it home together.

Hebrews 10:19–21 begins with the word “we.” That matters. The confidence described here is not merely private or individual. The whole passage moves with plural language: we have confidence, we have a great priest, let us draw near, let us hold fast, let us consider one another. This confidence has been purchased for God’s gathered people.

First, we are invited into the holy places—the presence of God. Since Eden, sin has separated humanity from God’s immediate presence. The tabernacle and temple reminded Israel of this separation. Access was limited. The Holy of Holies was not open to everyone. But now, in Christ, the way is open.

Second, the price has been paid: the blood of Jesus. We do not earn our way into God’s presence. We do not make ourselves acceptable by religious effort or personal strength. Our access is bought by Christ.

Third, the way has been opened. Jesus does not merely point toward God from a distance. Through His sacrificed body, He opens the new and living way. The One who was slain now lives forever.

Fourth, we have a great priest over the house of God. Jesus does not save us and then leave. He stands for His people. Our confidence rests not only in what He has done, but in who He continues to be.

So Christians come boldly, not because we think little of God’s holiness, but because we think much of Jesus’ sufficiency.

Hebrews 10:22 gives the first invitation: “let us draw near.” How do we steward blood-bought access to God’s presence? We actually use it. We come to God. We approach the presence Jesus opened.

This is not a call to pretend. We draw near “with a true heart.” A true heart is not the same as a perfect heart. It is a sincere heart. It says, “God, I need You. I want You. I come because Jesus has made the way.”

We come in “full assurance of faith,” not because our faith is flawless, but because our Savior is faithful. Our hearts have been sprinkled clean. Our bodies have been washed with pure water. The order matters: we do not draw near to get clean; we draw near because Jesus has cleansed us.

And again, the invitation is not merely “I may draw near.” It is “let us draw near.” God has brought us near together.

Hebrews 10:23 gives the second invitation: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

To hold fast means to keep your grip. It means active perseverance. It means continuing to cling to what is true when doubt, grief, disappointment, weariness, apathy, and pressure pull against you.

Holding fast does not mean you never feel weak. It does not mean you never feel afraid. It means you do not abandon your confession when weakness and fear come. But the ground of our hope is not the strength of our grip. Hebrews says we hold fast because “he who promised is faithful.”

Sometimes God helps us hold fast by strengthening us directly. Very often, He helps us hold fast through His people.

Hebrews 10:24–25 tells us to “consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” not neglecting to meet together, but encouraging one another as the Day draws near.

The command begins with consideration. Look around. Pay attention to the actual people God has placed near you. Who seems tired? Who is new? Who may be carrying something heavy? Who might need to be remembered, prayed for, or reminded that they are not alone?

Christian gathering requires Christian noticing. God intends His people to have a spiritual effect on one another. Your courage can awaken courage in someone else. Your generosity can encourage generosity. Your perseverance can help someone else keep going when they feel ready to stop.

So keep showing up. Not to satisfy an attendance expectation, but because God uses His people to feed, form, encourage, and strengthen one another. Stop trying to hold fast alone. Let trusted brothers and sisters know where doubt, grief, weariness, or apathy are pulling on you.

And consider one another intentionally. Ask God to show you one person you can encourage, pray for, or strengthen toward love and faithfulness.

This is bigger than getting through another gathering. We are trying to make it all the way home to Jesus together. And underneath all of it is the promise of Philippians 1:6: “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”