Scripture reminds us that God is always accessible. He is always with us. The Bible says, "Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16).
The theme of the Book of Hebrews is the "priesthood of Christ." I like to use the title, "Jesus is Better than or Greater than." This makes sense to me when attempting to digest the purpose of, and thoughts intended. The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews is unknown. Scholars have studied the style and have arrived at many conclusions as to who is the author. The apostle Paul by far, has much support among scholars as the author; nevertheless, its authorship is still in dispute. One thing is clear, it was written to the Jewish Christians that lived in Jerusalem. The writer was concern that they were neglecting God's instruction and drifting away from His blessing. The writer sought to encourage them that in Christ they have the "better blessing," because Christ is "the author and finisher of our faith." Christ is the superior Person in all things. He was greater than Moses and greater than the angels. His Priesthood is superior to that of Aaron; and the principal of faith is superior to that of the law. When the readers grasp the knowledge and understand the intent of the writer, then the Book of Hebrews plays a significant role in understanding the Old Testament dispensation.
The writer's aim was to get their attention and redirect their focus. Although they were believers, they were in danger of lapsing into a carnal state of spiritual immaturity, because of their wrong attitude toward the word of God. So the writer admonished them, "let us hold fast our profession," which is translated to "confession." Although we may be saved and have the gift of salvation, that is not a reason to turn away from God, to the things of the world.
We are told that God spoke in "diverse manners" in times past "by the prophets." Although Jesus was before the prophets, as the invisible God. He came in the flesh and spoke truth as the Son of God. He purged the world of sin and now sits at the right hand of the Father as our GREAT HIGH PRIEST.
Since we are no longer under the Mosaic Law, and Jesus has done the finished work of the cross, we still need a priest, but the office is not filled by someone like us, but One who died for us, who was sinless, and rose with all power, both in heaven and earth.
We are not to think that the GREAT HIGH PRIEST means someone who operates as a priest or chief priest under the Old Testament system, whereby the sinner went through him to reach the Lord God, bringing sacrifice after sacrifice for their sins, Nor are we to think it to mean a church leader who operates under the banner of its domination, this present day.
In the Old Testament economy, God separated the priest's families from the rest of the nation, so they could do their priestly function separately. Among them was one priest chosen with special responsibilities. He was the chief priest. There was a special ceremony to appoint him, and after that, he continues to be the chief priest for life. Once a year he went into the holiest of holy on the behalf of himself and the people, and he would burn incense and make a sacrifice to God. He went through a closed area that was forbidden for any one else, and no one was permitted to go with him. He went behind this curtain to be with God. This day was called the Day of Atonement, which was done once a year. This annual ceremony made it possible for the nation to have a right relationship with God.
Jesus was the true and everlasting sacrifice for all who accept the finish work of the cross. The author of Hebrews tells us that Jesus passed through the heavens into the very presence of God. He took His own blood into the most holy place. He did that so that God can forgive our sins. That is good news to the believer. A sacrifice is a gift that God considers more valuable than the death of His Son. So when Jesus entered the most holy place in heaven, God accepted His gift, and then God the Father gave His Son the most important place in the heavenliest. Scripture tells us this about Jesus, "Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him" (1 Peter 3:22). Therefore, Jesus, our GREAT HIGH PRIEST should also have the greatest place of honor here on earth, in our hearts.
The writer of Hebrews goes on to say, "For we have not a Great High Priest who can not be touched by the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15). What a wonderful statement to know that our God walked in the same temptation that we face, and much greater, yet He endured it all, and without sinning. With this knowledge, we have a Great High Priest who understands us. Even to the point that He has taken the position to be our Advocate before the Father, and no longer are we bound to go through an earthly priest, because of the finish work of the cross. All barriers that existed before, have been torn down. Now we are able to come directly to Jesus, because of His "Open Door Policy."
"Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace." This is a privilege reserved for all who call upon the Lord Jesus. Oh, how important it is to have a Great High Priest who ministers in the heavenly tabernacle where He sits, yet He looks low and answers our request when we seek His presence. Not only does He sits high and looks low, but He sits on a throne that is higher than all thrones. Jesus now sits in the holiest of holy, which was restricted on earth, but is now open to all in heaven, and He invites us to come "boldly" unto him. We are to walk with the boldness and assurance that He will reward those who "diligently seek after Him." Boldly indicates a walk in faith, not wavering, but believing. At the same time, we come with reverence and godly fear. We come boldly and enter into the holies, by His blood. Today, every believer in Christ is invited and encouraged to "come boldly unto the throne of grace." There is no petition of separation. What a great throne it is. Jesus is ministering mercy and grace to all who seek Him in a time of need.
Mercy means that God does not give us what we deserve. Mercy is God's present help in our time of need. His mercy does not discriminate, but saturates with love and forgiveness. We cry out in humility like a child and He responds in the love and care of a Parent, and because He so love the world, His mercy pardons the sinner.
When we pray, Christ receives us with grace. Grace means that He gives us what we do not deserve. Grace purifies our souls. Grace means kindness. Christ's throne, which we approach by prayer, is a place of grace and kindness. It is there that He shows His kindness back to us, and it is from this place that Christ acts on our behalf.
When we approach Him, our help comes at the proper time. It may not come immediately when we make our request. That is why we need faith in God, in whatever request is being made. We would not need faith if God always answered immediately and always in our favor, but He wants us to continue to trust Him. We may have to wait, and sometimes we have to wait for a very long time. But God does not disappoint anyone, and His Open Door Policy remains open in spite of how we perceive His response. Be assured that in the end, He will act in our best interest. Most importantly, we are to come boldly to His throne. He turns no one away and His door is always open to the saints of God.
We are to come to the throne of grace. What is a throne? A throne speaks of authority. A throne of grace speaks encouragement even to the chief of sinners. If the apostle Paul was here with us today, I know he would loudly say amen to this, because he spoke of himself as being the "chief of sinners," but he also saw God's grace and mercy in his favor. It is our duty and interest to often go before God's throne of grace, waiting on the Lord in all worship, private and public. Our business at the throne of grace should be that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in a time of need.
There are seasons in which the throne becomes that place where we know all will be well with our souls. It is at the throne that we know that we shall most sensibly need the mercy and the grace of God, and we therefore should lay up prayers against such times in our approach to the throne of grace. We should come with a humble spirit and boldness. His throne is the throne of truth.
An Open Door Policy means that God's mercy is freely given to those who seek him in their daily walk and in a time of need. An Open Door Policy means that God's grace is sufficient for whatever we come up against. It is His favor that takes us through the temptation and trial we face. An Open Door Policy means that God is available at all times in our time of need. What a wonderful God we serve. An Open Door Policy assures the sinner that no sin is too big, too far, or too wide for God to handle.
Jesus is our Great High Priest. He has an Open Door Policy for His children. In Matthew 11:28-29 Jesus states, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." How can we neglect the One who cares more for us than we do for ourselves? Jesus gave His life on the cross, and as He hung there, the curtain in the temple which divided the holy from the holiest, rent into. At that moment, the wall of petition was torn down and man needed no one else to go to God on his behalf. Jesus' Open Door Policy was instituted for us. Every since He returned to the Father, that door has been open to "whosoever will." "So let us therefore, come boldly unto the throne of grace that we can obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."