If You Know, You Go
Hebrews 4:14-16 NLT
14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
This is such a great passage. There is a great amount of important information here regarding our relationship with Jesus and what is available to us.
First, we have a great High Priest —Jesus, the Son of God. We have a High Priest who represents us before the throne of God. Our High Priest is not like the high priests in the Judaic system. Our High Priest is the Son of God. And so we hold firmly to what we believe. We are not operating on a man-made system but on a higher heavenly system, which gives us more reason for confidence.
And our faithful High Priest, who represents us, understands what we go through in this life. One of the most beautiful things about Jesus is that He was tempted with the same things we are tempted with. He never sinned, but He is able to understand our human weaknesses. There is no other religion that can offer that level of empathy and understanding.
Jesus operated as a man, not as a sovereign, all-powerful God. He faced the challenges and pressures we face and never gave in to sin. But He never lords that over us; He understands.
Because of who Jesus is and His grasp of the human condition, we can come boldly to the throne of grace. We can approach God with confidence, not fear and shame. Way too many are so ashamed of their weaknesses and the fact that they are tempted that they run from God instead of coming to Him. But that is the opposite of what is needed. We can approach the throne of grace, not the throne of judgment. We can obtain mercy, not condemnation. And we can find grace that helps us in our time of need. Facing temptation is a time of need, but grace is available. And grace is God’s power and ability on our behalf.
Confidence, mercy, and grace are difference makers in our lives.
Application
Going to the throne of our gracious God when we are tempted is such a great help. Don’t be too embarrassed to tell the Father that you are needing help in this area of weakness and/or temptation. Telling Him is not when He finds out about your troubles. Telling Him is the first step toward receiving the mercy and grace you need to get through without falling.
And by all means, if you do fall, get back up and run, don’t walk to the throne of grace to receive the forgiveness and help you need to get back on track. Don’t live in the guilt and shame, get help. The throne is the best place to go, if you know!
Prayer
Lord, thank You for being my great High Priest who understands. Thank You for confident access to the throne of grace, where I can find help in my times of need.