For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:14-16
In our verses today, we read these words, “the throne of grace.” A throne speaks of authority and power, while grace conveys the idea of sympathy and understanding. Both of these thoughts are combined in Jesus Christ. He is God of infinite power, yet in complete and utter sympathy with us. After His Resurrection, He said, “All power is given unto me, in heaven and in earth.” Jesus, the Son of God, possesses the fullness of deity. Yet, He is the one who has passed through the heavens. 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 universe, 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 and outside the limits of time and space. He is no longer contained within, limited by, those boundaries that hold us within physical limits. He, therefore, has NO limits to His power. But, the author of Hebrews writes that Christ is tremendously concerned with our problems. He says, “…we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses…” Jesus has already gone the whole course before us, felt every pressure, known every pull, has been drawn by every allurement we face, 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 and receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need, every help, every time you need it! What audacious limitations do we impose upon Jesus Christ, conqueror of time and space? Do we honor His amazing invitation to come boldly to His throne of supreme authority and grace?
Help us, Father, to obey these simple words to come with confidence, with boldness, to Your throne of grace from which all help comes, all light is streaming, all hope is flaming. Amen!
Source: S C Ball March 25, 2024
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