Hebrews 4:14-16 "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold firmly to the faith we
profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but
we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s
throne of grace with confidence, so that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
I don't know how many times I've been attempted
to do what they Lord has asked me to do and 'self' got in the way. You know,
that elusive part of ourselves that knows the truth, but just can't seem to go
through with it. I don't know, I get this picture of the Ziggy cartoon with
Ziggy facing himself who has SELF written across his shirt and can't get past
him to get want he needs on the other side.
These verses are basically saying, 'Hey,
y'know, we have this priest over all priest who loves us so much that He took
our place and died for our sins, right? Well, He now happens to be sitting
right next to God (like, our Dad). So they're kinda in cahoots with each other,
since they both love us like unconditionally. So, let's stand strong in our
faith that we always talk about. Mostly because since Jesus so totally has felt
everything we feel, has been weak in every way we've been weak, not to mention
He was tempted to sin and let self get in the way just like we have/are - but
somehow He never, ever gave in to His weaknesses. Well, because He did go
through everything that we've gone through, we're going through and we ever will
go through, He's able to intercede (Hebrews 7:24-25) and stand in the gap
between us and our Father when we screw up in a way that no one else can. Now,
Dad really listens to His sons and daughters, but Jesus, well, He's the
firstborn, y'know - they seem to be almost inseparable - and they seem to
be always in agreement with each other - so He really takes into account what
Jesus says. That being the case, Jesus saying - Dad, I already paid the price
for them - they've repented - can You give them some mercy and forgive them.
Maybe also give them some grace because they really are wanting to come back to
You... and I think they may need it in the coming days ahead to resist those old
temptations that got them here in the first place. Father, looks at us walking
up, then looks at Jesus, then looks back at us and says, 'Come, it's ok. I don't
condemn you. You can have complete confidence in the fact that I have
everything you need right now."
So, we enter into Father's Presence with knowing that He love us and is
actually glad we're there. There's nothing of 'self' - we left that at the
door. This confidence isn't a puffed up pride that 'Hey, I'm a child of God and
I can just go waltzing in there no matter what I've done and He's going to have
mercy on me.' No, it's a knowing that we know in the deepest parts of our being
that God loves us enough to allow us to come humbly into His Presence so that
our relationship can restored. Trusting Him that He will be merciful and give
us the grace we need.
He says that's what He'll do, so that's what He'll do. Again, it's up to
us to receive His mercy (His forgiveness, His pardon) and to receive His grace
(His favor that is there even when we don't deserve it). Believe and Receive -
our Father is a good Father and only gives good gifts - Matthew 7:7-11
"Ask and it will be given to
you; seek and you will find; knock and the door
will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one
who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the
door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread,
will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a
snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" You know Who said that?
Jesus. He is and every will be FOR us.
Have Mercy on Me - Soveign
Grace Music (album - "The Gathering")
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