OCTOBER 25
OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST
Hebrews 4:14-16
14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. (WEB)
We can confidently approach our Heavenly Father's throne of grace whenever we need to receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. Our confidence does not rely on our good works, spiritual disciplines, or even our obedience to God. Instead, our confidence is solely rooted in our great High Priest, Jesus Christ.
Since our Elder Brother took on human flesh and understands our struggles (yet without sin), we can be confident that He represents us well to God. Jesus' once-and-for-all sacrifice speaks on behalf of every believer who has received the free gift of His redemption. Because of our great high priest, we need not fear condemnation anymore (Romans 8:1) as we approach the throne of grace.
When our Heavenly Father sees us approaching Him, He doesn't notice our imperfections or faults. Instead, when He looks at us, He sees us just like His beloved Son, Jesus. In God's eyes, we are in Him, and He is in us (John 17:23), so there is no difference between the two.
My prayer today is that we have a heavenly assurance to know we can approach our Father's throne of grace at any time, day or night. Whether we feel we have had a good day or a bad day, may we have the boldness to know we will find unconditional love and acceptance in His arms. It is important for us to always remember the reason we can enjoy His unconditional love and acceptance—and that is because of our great high priest.
It has always been about Jesus, and it will always be about Jesus. His shed blood on the cross was enough to conquer all of our past, present, and future sins. There is nothing that we could ever add to what our elder brother has already done on our behalf.
May the truth of this eternal reality lead us to break free from every shame-based, condemning thought about ourselves that keeps us from approaching our Heavenly Dad with confidence. Our Father is waiting for us to come to Him... so let's all boldly enter His throne room!
John 16:25-27
25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you, 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God. (WEB)
14 Having then a great high priest, who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need. (WEB)
We can confidently approach our Heavenly Father's throne of grace whenever we need to receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. Our confidence does not rely on our good works, spiritual disciplines, or even our obedience to God. Instead, our confidence is solely rooted in our great High Priest, Jesus Christ.
Since our Elder Brother took on human flesh and understands our struggles (yet without sin), we can be confident that He represents us well to God. Jesus' once-and-for-all sacrifice speaks on behalf of every believer who has received the free gift of His redemption. Because of our great high priest, we need not fear condemnation anymore (Romans 8:1) as we approach the throne of grace.
When our Heavenly Father sees us approaching Him, He doesn't notice our imperfections or faults. Instead, when He looks at us, He sees us just like His beloved Son, Jesus. In God's eyes, we are in Him, and He is in us (John 17:23), so there is no difference between the two.
My prayer today is that we have a heavenly assurance to know we can approach our Father's throne of grace at any time, day or night. Whether we feel we have had a good day or a bad day, may we have the boldness to know we will find unconditional love and acceptance in His arms. It is important for us to always remember the reason we can enjoy His unconditional love and acceptance—and that is because of our great high priest.
It has always been about Jesus, and it will always be about Jesus. His shed blood on the cross was enough to conquer all of our past, present, and future sins. There is nothing that we could ever add to what our elder brother has already done on our behalf.
May the truth of this eternal reality lead us to break free from every shame-based, condemning thought about ourselves that keeps us from approaching our Heavenly Dad with confidence. Our Father is waiting for us to come to Him... so let's all boldly enter His throne room!
John 16:25-27
25 I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you, that I will pray to the Father for you, 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came forth from God. (WEB)