A Pause to Ponder God's Word
"Approach The Throne"

The four pilgrims traveled many miles and faced many perils to see the wizard.  They were first denied entrance, but soon were granted appearance. Clutching onto each other they walked slowly, cowering more and more with each step they took toward the throne of the wizard.  The wizard made a great deal of noise and put on flashy display. Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow, and Lion shaking with fear, eyes cast down, squeaked out their request. In the end the wizard was all show and unable to offer any help.

 This familiar scene from the 'Wizard of OZ" is often a description of how we approach God.  We visualize Him as a wizard that will grant us our desires if we have done what we should and ask Him properly.  We timidly make our way into His presence and squeak out our request, turn and run out the prayer door hoping that God isn't too mad at us.  Our misguided understanding is interrupted by our text.  The writer of the Hebrews proclaims, "Let us the approach the throne of grace with
confidence [boldness]..." (Hebrews 4:16)  How can we do such a thing?  He is the Holy God, creator of all that is or ever will be.  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is the I AM. We are mere mortal sinners, with nothing to offer and a debt owed to God we can never repay. What confidence do we have to approach the Throne of God?

 Our confidence is not in ourselves. Our confidence is in our High Priest, "Jesus the Son of God."  Throughout the book of  Hebrews the writer is very careful about the Name he uses for Jesus. As you read through the book you will notice there are times he uses the name "Jesus," other times he uses "Son of God" or  "Christ." It is a wonderful literary way to keep the reader sensitive to what he is saying about Jesus. When he uses the name "Jesus" is he drawing us toward the "man," the human. When he uses "Son of God" he is emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus. Interestingly in this passage (verse 14) the writer uses both names. Only God Incarnate could provide a way to the throne of God for the likes of you and I. Only He, fully man and fully God, sinless though tempted in all ways just like us, could absolutely fulfill the high priesthood, as well as be the complete sacrifice for our sin.

 Since we have such a high priest, let us approach the throne of God with boldness, confidence in "Jesus the Son of God" our righteousness.  Do not cower before God, but in the Name of Jesus stand loving before Him. To not take this privilege lightly. Do not trivialize this magnificent right. Do not forget Who we stand before. Nevertheless, let us go, boldly to the Throne. He beckons us to come. He desires us to come. He has provided the way for us to come. So, "let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence."

Keep Close To Jesus
Pastor Gerry


A Pause To Ponder God's Word is written and distributed by Gerald Whetstone, Ordained Elder and teacher in the Church of the Nazarene. These devotionals may be transmitted, duplicated, used in part or in entirety without permission for nonprofit purposes only. Responses welcome. To Subscribe Click Here.
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