"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. 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 4:15-16
Part 3
Yesterday: Jesus was Tempted, Tried, but Never Failing!
“Yet without sin.” (a)
Only a perfectly sinless Savior can pay for the sin of sinners.
Today: Believers, Come to the Throne of Grace!
“Yet without sin.” (b)
We are so unlike Jesus in that we are very familiar with sin. We have been born with a sinful nature, and therefore we sin easily and willingly. There is no such thing as a savior-from-sin, who is also a sinner.
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He [Jesus] was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin” (1 John 3:4-5).
This is why only Jesus Christ can be our Savior. He is the only one who is qualified to die for my sin and yours. The Bible tells us —
“For He [God the Father] hath made Him [Jesus, God the Son] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Now that is love. He took my sin on Himself. He became “sin for me!” even though He never did any wrong. And I who am an awful sinner, He has “made the righteousness of God, in Him!” Praise His holy name!
“Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace.”
“Therefore!”
Because of the teaching about our sinless Savior in verse 15, therefore…!
“Come Boldly”
We are told that because of our great Savior, we may “come boldly” to the throne of grace! I love this word “boldly,” for it means that we are to come bringing our requests to God, and He wants us to speak freely. We come to the throne with nothing “held back,” and we are to talk “openly, frankly,” and “without concealment.” God does not want us to beat around the bush or speak with vague words. We have no need to try and explain ourselves as if God does not understand us. In fact, we have a “fearless confidence, cheerful courage,” and “assurance” when we come before Him on the throne of grace.[1]
Our “boldness to enter in” is not about our goodness or merit but about our Savior! It’s about what He has done for us.
“Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)” (Hebrews 10:19-23).
We believers ought to be bold when we speak to others of Jesus.
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6).
“For through Him [Jesus], we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).
“According to the eternal purpose which He [God the Father] purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him” (Ephesians 3:11).
“Unto the Throne of Grace”
What beautiful words these are, the throne of grace. Other monarchs had their thrones where they demonstrated their greatness, power, and authority! God’s throne is different, for it is outstanding from all others because of His grace. Our God, who is all-powerful and can meet any need we may have, invites us to come to the place of His grace.
Did you ever wonder what this throne of grace might look like? Come back tomorrow and let’s talk about it.
Quote: Believers, what is our Genesis three tendency when we are failing? We’ve all had times when we are too tired of our sin to even struggle anymore. Those times when we wallow in the “slough of despond” and think there is no help or hope for us. The devil loves for us to be here! He thinks he has us. But our Lord reminds us that we have the Savoir who knows all about us and understands our needs. Now is not the time to run from Him, but to run to Him! He calls us. His arms are open for us. When we do go, we confess our sin, and we find not the judgment that our sin deserves but His forgiveness and mercy. He restores our fellowship with Him. We are not to enter there with timid fear, but we boldly run to Him! And there on the throne of grace sits the eternal God of heaven and earth! The angels encircling the throne remind us that He alone is worthy! And yet, He loves me! Oh, what grace and mercy flow from Him! “Hallelujah! What a Savior!”
[1] See Thayer’s definition, J.H. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek Definitions, the electronic version in eSword.