Holy of Holies

Alexander Maclaren's sermon "The Holy of Holies" was delivered as part of his regular preaching ministry at Union Chapel in Manchester, where he served as pastor for forty-five years. Drawing from the imagery of the Old Testament tabernacle, particularly the most sacred inner chamber where the high priest entered once yearly on the Day of Atonement, Maclaren addressed the Christian's access to God through Christ's sacrifice.

Maclaren develops his exposition by contrasting the restricted access of the old covenant with the open invitation of the new. He argues that Christ's death tore the veil that separated humanity from God's presence, making the holy of holies accessible to every believer. The sermon moves through three key themes: the barrier that sin created between God and humanity, the sufficient sacrifice that Christ offered to remove that barrier, and the practical implications of believers' direct access to God in prayer and worship. Maclaren emphasizes that this access is both a privilege and a responsibility, calling Christians to approach God with reverence while embracing the boldness that comes from knowing they are welcomed as children rather than condemned as strangers.

This sermon represents Maclaren's characteristic blend of careful biblical exegesis and practical application, demonstrating why he was considered one of the finest expositors of his generation. His clear explanation of substitutionary atonement and its implications for Christian living continues to serve pastors and teachers seeking to communicate these central doctrines. Who should read this: pastors preparing sermons on Hebrews or Old Testament typology, and Christians wanting to understand more deeply what Christ's sacrifice accomplished for their relationship with God. Those looking for academic theological treatises rather than pastoral exposition should look elsewhere.