Oh What Great Confidence - June 11, 2009

Hebrews 4:14-16 "14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." NIV

Some time ago there was a movie by the name of A River Runs Through It. In it there were two brothers. The older brother was hard-working, quiet, and respected. The younger brother, who loved to have fun, was always living on the edge. He ended up associating with those who led him further and further into trouble where he eventually was killed in a brawl. A tragic story. But the most tragic part of the story was that the older brother had seen what was happening to his younger brother but was powerless to do anything about it. He was unable to come and save him.
Part of the point of the passage above is that we have someone who sees our need and knows how to meet us in that place and rescue us completely! His name is Jesus, the Son of God, our High Priest. In fact, the author of Hebrews has already spelled out in chapter 2 how Jesus became fully human, how he suffered, and destroyed the power of death on our behalf. In his earthly life Jesus became like us in every way (Hebrews 2:17). Did you catch that? In every way! What is more he was tempted in every way like us, but without sin! Whoa! In every way, without sin! This sounds like the older brother we need! He can relate to us in any situation, large or small. And it’s not just that he sees our pain and struggles but he knows how to do something about it!
Jesus becoming human forever shows us God’s eternal commitment to his creation, and how he would stop at nothing until he reached and saved us completely. That is what drove Jesus as he endured the cross and scorned it shame for the joy set before him. (Hebrews 12:2). Saints – we are the fruit of his joy! He saw the joy of doing the will of the Father to bring about our being united with God forever and fulfilling the destiny we were created for. I need some rejoicing as this is being read! Do you think God is going to allow the troubles of this world to keep us from the joy that Jesus saw? Jesus went through the heavens on our behalf! Think about this! Jesus is operating from the control room of the universe. From there he has the full power and armory of heaven, and as human, the authority to meet us in our need. Hallelujah!
Somebody reading this better rejoice!
Because of this reality, we are commanded to come before God with utter confidence, holding nothing back as to whatever we are experiencing. God wants to hear our heart before his throne, and he wants us to lay it all before him. In fact the original word behind “confidence” could convey loud shouts with speech that conceals nothing and communicates with total frankness. Go ahead – in private or public – let yourself bare before God with loud shouts if necessary! God wants your heart – raw and real. This is the boldness and confidence God wants us to approach him with. After all it is where we fully express our heart to God that we can fully receive the necessary grace and mercy to our situation. But it takes coming without holding back before God.
So next time you are wondering where God is in your life, come to this passage! Remind yourself that it is God’s initiative for us to receive from him! Remind yourself that you do indeed have an older brother who sees you and who knows how to meet you as you cry out before God. So come Saints! Come with confidence before the Throne of Grace to receive mercy and find grace in your time of need!