Accessing Grace Through Prayer
Read Hebrews 4:14-16- “Therefore, since 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
The high priest awakens and starts with a bath. After scrubbing intently, he walks past his typical skillfully woven garments towards a new set of holy linens. As he puts on the white linens, he begins to feel the weight, responsibility, fear, and humility of this day. He mentally rehearses the detailed steps required of him, including the blood sacrifices. In a few short hours, he will approach the mercy seat knowing one mistake could mean his death.
This is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), when he will make atonement for his own sins and the sins of the people. The book of Hebrews is written to a Jewish audience intimately familiar with reliance on a human high priest as their intercessor according to the law in Leviticus 16. In this passage, Jesus is called our great high priest.
Like human priests, He made a sacrifice to atone for our sin, but His sacrifice was dramatically different. He is the Son of God. Unlike other high priests, He was tempted in all things but did not sin. He did not have to atone for Himself. Instead, He gave Himself up as the perfect sacrifice — once and for all — providing us confident access to the throne of grace.
By accepting the free gift of God’s grace, we have permanent access to the Father through Jesus. Because Jesus suffered and was tempted as a human, He understands where we are in our time of need. He invites us to come to Him. He receives us in His mercy, which means we will not get the penalty we deserve (Romans 6:23) and showers us with undeserved favor in His grace.
This is astounding! The God of the universe wants us to come to Him night and day! God lavishes us with His grace. He loves and wants to spend time with us. He wants us to come to Him — no matter what. These truths should change how we pray. He is not waiting to punish or shame us. He understands where we are. He is not asking us to clean up first. He is simply asking us to come in confidence knowing He will meet us with mercy and grace in our time of need.
Is there a sin struggle keeping you from talking to God? Confess it in prayer. Forgiveness is free for the asking. He wants to hear from you.
This is the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), when he will make atonement for his own sins and the sins of the people. The book of Hebrews is written to a Jewish audience intimately familiar with reliance on a human high priest as their intercessor according to the law in Leviticus 16. In this passage, Jesus is called our great high priest.
Like human priests, He made a sacrifice to atone for our sin, but His sacrifice was dramatically different. He is the Son of God. Unlike other high priests, He was tempted in all things but did not sin. He did not have to atone for Himself. Instead, He gave Himself up as the perfect sacrifice — once and for all — providing us confident access to the throne of grace.
By accepting the free gift of God’s grace, we have permanent access to the Father through Jesus. Because Jesus suffered and was tempted as a human, He understands where we are in our time of need. He invites us to come to Him. He receives us in His mercy, which means we will not get the penalty we deserve (Romans 6:23) and showers us with undeserved favor in His grace.
This is astounding! The God of the universe wants us to come to Him night and day! God lavishes us with His grace. He loves and wants to spend time with us. He wants us to come to Him — no matter what. These truths should change how we pray. He is not waiting to punish or shame us. He understands where we are. He is not asking us to clean up first. He is simply asking us to come in confidence knowing He will meet us with mercy and grace in our time of need.
Is there a sin struggle keeping you from talking to God? Confess it in prayer. Forgiveness is free for the asking. He wants to hear from you.
Reflection Questions:
- Are you suffering and feel no one truly understands? Talk to Him. He understands like no one else.
- Do you approach God with timidity or penance working to earn the right to be in His presence? Come confidently in prayer. You are His child. You are valuable.
- Do not let anything stop you from starting a conversation with God right now.
Posted in Free- by the Grace of God
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