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Hebrews 4:14-5:4 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 Our staff recently reflected on this passage during our weekly devotions. It was brought up that we often talk about Jesus as living ‘in our hearts’ or being invited ‘into our hearts.’ One staff member brought up that kids (who tend to believe adults and take their words at face value), have had special concern for anyone who would undergo heart surgery. Jesus would get out! Where would he live now? So, we should probably speak more about how the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts, especially in light of Hebrews 4:14—“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.” Jesus is seated on the throne. He is ascended into heaven and is our great high priest. The author of Hebrews goes on to describe the work of the priest, who interceded on behalf of God’s people and made atonement for their sins. Jesus, though, as the great high priest has fulfilled the work of the priests. In Hebrews 7:23-25, we read:
Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Jesus’ work did not end with his ascension. He continues to “plead our cause in heaven in the presence of his Father” (Heidelberg Catechism, Q/A 49). Because of this, in today’s text, we are encouraged to approach God’s throne with boldness and confidence. We are invited to go before God with an assurance of faith that we’ll receive mercy and grace.
There may be a variety of things that keep us from approaching God’s throne boldly. The other day, my daughter had done something that hurt me—not on purpose, but she had still done it. When she realized it, she hid in her closet. Crying. Ashamed. Embarrassed. Afraid. I wanted so badly for her to come out and sit on my lap. Even to jump into my arms. Reassuring words slowly coaxed her out. I see myself in her so often. Sometimes I hide. I’m afraid to run to God when I’ve hurt him. I’m embarrassed and ashamed. I hide and clam up.
But there’s Jesus. The one who can empathize with our weakness. The one who coaxes us out of hiding. Because the Father has arms wide open, ready for his children to boldly jump to him and receive the goodness of his mercy and his grace. Our God loves his people so much that he committed to remain incarnate—now in his glorified body—forever to intercede on our behalf. Consider that. He took on flesh forever. If such a love is real and true, deeper than even my love for my own daughter, surely, we can approach our Godly boldly, in faith. You don’t need to be good enough or all cleaned up. Let all fear and pride and shame—anything that would hold us back—fall to the side so we can run, completely unhindered, to him. It is why he went to the cross.