Photo by Steven Van Loy on Unsplash
Photo by Steven Van Loy on Unsplash
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens,
Jesus, the Son of God,
let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses,
but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are,
yet without sin.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace,
that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV
The emphasis here is on the last verse starting with “Let us…” but it doesn’t mean as much without the previous verses. They remind us that Jesus, our high priest, can sympathize with our weakness. The high priest was the one who stood between GOD and man. He performed the sacrifices that satisfied GOD’s demands for reconciliation with Him…until Jesus came and did the final, perfect and complete sacrifice.
He was human when He was here on earth. He was not a robot. He had human feelings and desires. He knew the tug of temptation…but He didn’t sin. He stayed strong against temptation every.single.time!
Imagine fasting for 40 days and having Satan tempt you to make bread? I’m sure the temptation was real in ways I don’t even understand. I have never gone that long without food! And that is only one example. Jesus knew He needed to stay connected to the Father. We need it too, we just don’t know it in the same ways he did.
Come with confidence to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need!
His reminder here is that we can go to His throne of grace and find mercy and grace in our time of need. Not only that, we can go there with confidence! Just as the son or daughter of a president can confidently go to their father when they need something, so can we go our Father if we are wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus! And that is our condition if we are in Christ!
No matter how scared, overwhelmed or broken hearted we are, we can confidently come to our heavenly Father and find mercy and grace in our time of need. What a comfort! That is my comforting gospel word for today. Even when I don’t have the strength to believe, He will help me! These are encouraging words.
Such good truth.
it truly is, isn’t it Karen:)
So thankful we can go to the Father and receive grace in our time of need. Blessings!
for sure Barbie:) when we think that He is so holy and then, instead of being patronizing to us, he shows us grace and mercy! it is quite amazing, isn’t it?