This Day in History: 0000-05-26

May 26 – Hebrews 4:14-16

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. This High Priest of ours understands our weakness, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin.  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.

Verse 16 is one of my very favorites in the whole Bible.  I love that I’ve been invited to enter the throne room of Heaven and stand before Almighty God with boldness!  I LOVE it!  Not only that, but I’ve been promised grace and mercy in response!

I know I don’t deserve it.  I know it well.  But I am SO glad I’ve been given it anyway because there’s so much I want to bring before Him!  So much I want to talk to Him about.  And I’m not the kind of person that’s going to speak at all unless I feel the freedom to speak openly and honestly.

How about you?  Do you feel the freedom to come before God with boldness?  If that idea makes you feel a little uncomfortable, as I believe it does for many of us, then I challenge you to look more closely and understand WHY we’ve been invited into such privilege.  It’s all because of what Jesus Christ did for us.

He came down to this earth and He lived a life here as a human being.  This passage tells us He faced every kind of temptation we face.  EVERY KIND! What comfort there is in that knowledge. We never need to feel alone in our struggles.  Never.  Jesus fully understands how difficult the things we go through are because He faced the same kinds of trials.

Yet He did not sin.

That’s a powerful little sentence right there!  The implications are this:  Not only does Jesus understand the temptations we face because He Himself experienced them, but He knows exactly how to have victory over those temptations because He never sinned. Taking that knowledge and understanding with Him, He has entered heaven where He acts as our Great High Priest.  Do you know what the role of the High Priest was in the Old Testament?  He acted as an intercessor between God and His people.  Jesus now acts as our Intercessor.  When we present our requests to Him, Jesus offers not only understanding, but a victorious solution!

So, let’s not be afraid or uncomfortable.  Let’s accept the invitation and enter into His presence.  Let’s come boldly before His throne understanding we’re not only welcomed, but our presence brings Him pleasure!  He will invite us to come closer and He’ll help us with whatever we need.  He’ll bend down to listen for as long as we want to pour our hearts out to Him.  He’ll delight in us and offer us His grace and His mercy which will help us face whatever lies ahead.  The more we need Him, the more He’ll provide.   Every time!  Be bold, my friend. You are understood, and you are loved.