In review of Hebrews 4:15-16 it says, ”[Jesus] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (NLT).
Today’s passage comes from Hebrews 4:14-16. In it, I am reminded that since I have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, I can hold firmly to what I believe. This High Priest of mine understands my weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings I do, yet he did not sin. So I can come boldly to the throne of my gracious God. There I will receive his mercy, and I will find grace to help me when I need it most.
I’m reminded today that Christ is much more superior to the priests (highest religious authority in the land). Jesus mediates and intercedes on my behalf with God. Jesus is always at God's right hand. He is always available and hears me when I pray. Being human Jesus experienced the full range of temptations that I face. Therefore he can sympathize with me. I can be encouraged knowing that even though Jesus faced temptation, he never gave in to it. It can be done.
Prayer is my approach to God. When I do, I am to come "boldly", not cautiously with my head hung low, afraid to ask him to meet my needs. And not flippantly, giving little thought to what I say. Rather coming with reverence because he is my King. But also with bold assurance because he is my Friend and Counselor.
Rick Warren wrote a book called Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am? In summary, he says: If I tell you what I’m really like and you don’t like it, I’m up a creek without a paddle, because I’m all I’ve got. As a result we spend most of our lives wearing masks, pretending to be people we’re not, because we’re afraid if we let others see what we really are, they would reject us. It’s one of our deepest fears.
But because God is always good and never bad, God will never reject me, even when I sin, disobey and hurt him. I can come back! He will receive me, not reject me, when I humbly confess to him.
The Bible says, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close . . . My enemies are waiting for me . . . Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:10-11, 13 NLT). I may have messed up and made a huge mistake. God is the God of second chances. Why? Because he is a good and gracious Father.
Now, because God is always good and gracious, when I pray, I can be always bold and confident. I don’t have to come slinking in to God with my tail between my legs. I can just come and say, “God, you know I blew it—that’s who I am. But you are a good Father—that’s who you are. And it’s who you are that matters.”
“[Jesus] understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT).
Bottom Line:
Jesus understand our weaknesses, he was tempted in the same way, but never sinned. In need, we can come confidently before God. God will treat us with undeserved kindness and will provide help.
What this means to me:
Jesus understands my every weakness, because he was tempted in every way that I am but never himself sinned! So when I'm in need, I can come bravely before the throne of my merciful God. There I will be treated with undeserved kindness, and I will find help.
In summary, I have Jesus who intercedes for me with the Father. Jesus understands me and my weaknesses, after all he faced the same temptations. Jesus is always available to me. He hears me when I pray. God is always good. He will never reject me, even after I have sinned, disobeyed and hurt him. I can come back. He will receive me when I humbly confess to him. God is the God of second chances. He is good and gracious.
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