Drawing Near to God with Confidence (Hebrews 4:14-16)
DRAWING NEAR TO GOD WITH CONFIDENCE
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. "O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch" (Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV)
The letter of Hebrews is written to at-risk Jewish Christians. As a result of their persecution, they were apt to abandon the grace of God and return to the shackles of Judaism. The writer pens this letter to exhort believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to maintain an unbreakable faith. He asserts that what they have in Jesus is better than what they had in Judaism.
Hebrews, chapter 4, teaches us that Jesus is our Great High Priest, who fully administers everything that faith requires to live for God. The writer gives at least three essential exhortations for the Christian journey.
First, we must hold fast to the confession of our faith (Heb 4:14). Nothing in this life can we hold on to with complete certainty. Life is fleeting. Life is fading. This is the statement that James (the half-brother of Jesus) makes, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (Jas 4:14b). Verse 14 reminds us of Christ’s superiority over all things and how we must hold fast to the confession of our faith. In other words, we have come too far to turn around now.
Second, we must hand over our cares to the Lord (Heb 4:15). In this life, we will face trials, tribulations, and temptations that we are too weak to handle. That is the bad news. But here is the good news! We have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. He understands our frailties. He is never aloof, indifferent, or uncaring. Jesus cares about what we are going through in life. Verse 14 points us to the superiority of our Great High Priest—where we can confess our faith. Verse 15 points us to the sympathy of our great High Priest—in whom we can give our cares.
Third, we must draw near to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16). Verse 14 ends with exhortation, and verse 16 begins with exhortation. Verse 14 says that we cannot go back, and verse 16 says that we cannot stay where we are. Since we have a Great High Priest who knows what we are going through, let us confidently approach the throne of grace.
Because of what Christ has done, we no longer have to keep our distance; we can draw near to Him. We no longer have to approach God in fear; we can come with a thankful heart before His presence.
Hebrews, chapter 4, teaches us that Jesus is our Great High Priest, who fully administers everything that faith requires to live for God. The writer gives at least three essential exhortations for the Christian journey.
First, we must hold fast to the confession of our faith (Heb 4:14). Nothing in this life can we hold on to with complete certainty. Life is fleeting. Life is fading. This is the statement that James (the half-brother of Jesus) makes, “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (Jas 4:14b). Verse 14 reminds us of Christ’s superiority over all things and how we must hold fast to the confession of our faith. In other words, we have come too far to turn around now.
Second, we must hand over our cares to the Lord (Heb 4:15). In this life, we will face trials, tribulations, and temptations that we are too weak to handle. That is the bad news. But here is the good news! We have a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses. He understands our frailties. He is never aloof, indifferent, or uncaring. Jesus cares about what we are going through in life. Verse 14 points us to the superiority of our Great High Priest—where we can confess our faith. Verse 15 points us to the sympathy of our great High Priest—in whom we can give our cares.
Third, we must draw near to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16). Verse 14 ends with exhortation, and verse 16 begins with exhortation. Verse 14 says that we cannot go back, and verse 16 says that we cannot stay where we are. Since we have a Great High Priest who knows what we are going through, let us confidently approach the throne of grace.
Because of what Christ has done, we no longer have to keep our distance; we can draw near to Him. We no longer have to approach God in fear; we can come with a thankful heart before His presence.
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