JUNE 8, 2023
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
The central figure of the Christian faith is not some far-away entity, a flawed spirit, or a being with no understanding of human nature. If that were the case, prayer would be a terrifying and possibly meaningless experience. Fortunately for the Christian, Jesus not only understands our struggles and failures, but He has also overcome them first-hand.
The verse right before today’s says, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Verse 15) Our Savior can fully empathize with our failures because He remained sinless in the face of temptation. We can and should lay our iniquities at his feet.
Today’s verse is the conclusion of a point begun in verse 14. After encouraging Christians to complete the works God has given us in the first part of the chapter, the writer reminds us that God’s word is the ultimate measuring stick for all of our thoughts, deeds, and intentions. Nothing is hidden or obscure to God, Who is our ultimate judge. Verses 14 and 15 clarify that we can maintain our faith in the face of struggles, knowing Christ has already shown us the way. He not only experienced suffering, death, and temptation but did it without succumbing to sin.
Knowing, then, that Christ fully understands our weaknesses and has experienced our pain, we can better rely on Him. We can be confident and assured when we come to God asking for mercy, grace, help, or forgiveness. Nobody understands our pain better than Jesus, so only Jesus can be our High Priest and the substitute for our payment of sin. “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:18)
Because we have Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God, let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is unaware of our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all – all but the sin. So let’s walk up to Him and get what He is ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the grace.
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