Come!

Come!

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 4:16 KJV

Context:

Even though there is no name ascribed to the words of the book of Hebrews, the lessons in the book impact our walk with and work for God. Today's extract takes a look at the old testament role of the high priest, who stood in the gap on behalf of the people to minister before God. The high priest came from a specific tribe, chosen by a specific process and lasted a lifetime, taken away only by death or by God's express pronouncement. The high priest had to first be clean, before he could make atonement for the sins of the people. He could only enter into the Most Holy Place once a year, and even then, he had to get the service right or he could be struck dead. That was the solemn and careful service expected of the high priest of the Old testament.

It is not a wonder then that this process was quite limited in its reach and impact; it only provided a temporary cover for sin, and could not really take it away. The yearly, weekly or daily offerings reminded everyone of the limitations of blood sacrifices. The frailties of the high priest reminded the people of the inability of a man to provide the perfect sacrifice or offering for sin that could deal with it once and for all. The need for the regular offerings was a reminder of the power and danger of sin, and why it required a permanent solution. That is where Jesus comes in and is the essence of today's extract. 

Message and Response:

Why is the coming of Jesus so important to our walk with and work for God now? The following count: 

1. Universal access: the extract for today invites US ALL to come. It does not make a distinction between race, creed, tribe or language. It is an invite to all human beings. That is such a contrast to the old testament, where only one person, the high priest, could dare come to the presence of God in the temple at that time. 

2. Universal appeal: the high priest was the only one allowed to come in, and he had to first purify himself and be worthy, before he could dare to stand and minister, and even offer sacrifices for other people. Now, I do not need to be worthy or clean to make that first approach; in fact, the invitation is for the unclean, the unworthy, the sinful, the adulterer, the murderer. All who realise their sin and their need for a saviour are invited to come in. No questions are asked about your qualification; you will be welcomed as you are, but you will definitely not be left the same way that you came in. Let nobody raise questions about your being worthy; the view of the one who invites you is all that counts. If you come, you get what he offers. If you don't, you still have that which you always had. 

3. Universal love: it is love that underpins the access we have been given. The high priest functioned under the law, and there was no room for a second chance most times. Today, because of the love of God and the operation of his grace, it appears that we have been given several chances to get it right. We rise and fall several times, yet God does not give up on us. We make mistakes, yet God does not reject us. That is love, mercy and grace at work, and we all stand where we see today because of these. It is not a function of ability, capacity, intelligence or influence; it is love from start to finish. 

4. Unending gift: as I come to this new priest, which Jesus is, I get all that the old priest tried to give but couldn't. The priest himself needed help; Jesus the new priest is the Help himself. The old priest had a date with physical death; this new one conquered death once and for all. The old priest sinned and needed forgiveness also; the new priest is sinless, and continues to provide grace and strength for all who seek to live a life free of sin. In every way, this new priest provides all that the old priest wasn't equipped to do. All that the new priest offers is a lifelong offer; it is not withdrawnams it does not expire until rapture or physical death happens. At that time, it is then too late to ask for mercy. It is free now; it is available now for all men. I will not be able to claim ignorance when I stand before the new priest for judgment. 

So, make the approach. The new priest will not offer if he did not have the capacity to make good on his promise. I confess this is my time of need, when the world seems to be going to pieces. I need the help of the new priest more than ever before. He is the Help of Israel, an ever -present help in trouble so he is what he says, and he is all I need. No one has ever come to the end of his or her life and regretted taking the help of this new priest. He won't start with me. His time of favour is here.