Hebrews 4:14-16
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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted
in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that
we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
A throne is a symbol of dignity and authority which may or may not extend beyond its immediate occupant. In the case of secular rulers, that authority extends beyond the immediate occupant of that throne to successive rulers. In the case of the throne of JEHOVAH – HE is the essence of dignity and authority. HE is the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end and everything in between - hence the whole. Authority begins and ends with Him.
There are many thrones mentioned in Scripture. However, there are two thrones that have significantly contrasting features: The Throne of Grace (Hebrews 4: 16); and the Throne of Judgment (Revelation 20:11-14). God sits upon each of these thrones. Each of these thrones represents a marked element of God’s authority and power.
The Throne of Grace – We as believers were ushered into the kingdom of His dear Son (Colossians 1:13), and as such we have a permanent standing in the Grace of God (Romans 5:2). In this kingdom Grace is the factor with which God rules.
The Throne of Judgment – Men who refuse the throne of Grace choose the throne of judgment and retributive judgment is the factor with which God rules here.
The throne of grace in our passage is connected with the high priestly ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ whose priesthood has been previously mentioned in Hebrews 3:1. The readers are confronted with the fact that there is no purpose or profit in returning to Judaism to participate in the inferior priesthood of that system. Israel had high priests – many of them. Believer’s today have a High Priest.
The Old Testament system was a system of shadows and types. Shadows, within themselves, do not have substance or reality. They are indicative of the true body or substance which they portray. We are living in the era of fulfillment – not the era of shadows. The Old Testament priesthood, ordinances and sacrifices must be viewed not as abiding realities which are binding, but as types which have their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. A shadow has no permanent reality apart from the body which projects it. When a body stands directly under the light, the shadow disappears. Christ stands in the full blaze of revelation. The shadows which, in earlier stages, pointed to His coming are now gone.
The Old Testament priest passed from the outer court of the tabernacle through the holy place and into the holy of holies to minister once each year. Jesus Christ passed from the earth through the heavens and into the very presence of God – to minister permanently.
It was very important that the high priest be qualified (Hebrews 5:1-11). Jesus Christ meets those qualifications perfectly. He was called of God into this priesthood. He can have compassion on the weak as He was “tempted in all points” as we are and yet without sin.
The question has been asked, “was Jesus able not to sin or not able to sin?” Theologians are divided on this point. Theologically, Jesus Christ could not sin. The divine nature cannot receive pollution. If Jesus could have sinned the whole person would have been polluted. Jesus is always regarded as one person – not two. The temptation of our Lord did not arise out of a sinful disposition that He had (James 1:13-14). The point being made by the writer is that there was no sin involved or associated with His temptation. It was a valid temptation in that He experienced the full intensity of the pressure of human weakness, which within itself is not sin, together with the full pressure of Satan from without. Yet from His part no sin was involved. The point is that in His experience of temptation and weakness He has come to identify with our weaknesses. He can really sympathize (Hebrews 5:8-9). He learned to sympathize through the process of His life on earth.
We have a high priest who is willing to help and verse 16 is an exhortation for believers to act upon the truth of verses 14 and 15. We are to come boldly – to draw near with confidence without any inhibitions. There is no need to doubt His ability or compassion to help. And when we do we will find grace at just the time we need it!
(1) saving grace – Ephesians 2:8-10
(2) sanctification grace – Titus 2:11-15
(3) serving grace – Romans 12:1-8
(4) suffering grace – II Corinthians 12:9
(5) helping grace – Hebrews 4:16; II Corinthians 9:8.
Each one of us will one day stand before the Lord Jesus Christ. Will it be at the Throne of Grace or the Throne of Judgment? The choice is ours.
Love to you all,