The Throne of Grace

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are — yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

Four words in this brief passage sum up all it has to say: the throne of grace. A throne speaks of authority and power, while grace conveys the idea of sympathy and understanding. These two thoughts are combined in Jesus Christ. He is a man of infinite power, yet in complete and utter sympathy with us. He said himself, after his resurrection, All power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth, (Matthew 28:18 KJV). His title here is, Jesus, the Son of God possessing the fullness of deity. But more than that, he is the one who has passed through the heavens. In this space age, this phrase should catch our eye. Jesus not only passed into the heavens but through the heavens.

When we put people into a rocket and hurl them into space, we are throwing them into the heavens. They are still within this space-time continuum. Even if they traveled to the nearest planets or the outermost reaches of our solar system, which seems utterly impossible now, they would still be in the heavens. But the claim made for Jesus is that he has passed through the heavens, he has passed outside the limits of time and space. He is no longer contained within, limited by, those boundaries that hold us within physical limits. He is outside, above, beyond, over all, therefore there are no limits to his power.

The writer also makes clear that though the Lord Jesus has passed into the place of supreme power, and has absolutely no limits upon his ability to work, he also is tremendously concerned with our problems. He says, We have not a high priest who cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He has already gone the whole course before us. He has felt every pressure, he has known every pull, he has been drawn by every allurement we face, he has been frightened by every fear, beset by every anxiety, depressed by every worry. Yet he did it without failure, without sinning. Never once did he fall. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. That is, every help you need, every time you need it!

Help us, Father, to obey these simple words of admonition: To come with confidence, with boldness, to the throne of grace from which all help comes, all light is streaming, all hope is flaming.