Take Me To The King - Heb. 4:16

This is Namma for Christ with the 91^st inspirational message dated Wednesday, October 12^th, 2016.  The title of this message is, “Take Me To The King – Heb. 4:16”.  The scripture comes from the fourth book of Hebrews which reminds the reader that because of what Jesus did “by His reconciling act on the Cross”, we can come confidently and "boldly" to Jesus:

Hebrews 4:16

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Recently, I was reading the book of Hebrews and I searched the internet in regard to Hebrews 4:15-16. I discovered the below message, entitled “One Who Understands” (as written by “Shawn” from the website of “Peace In the Storm” : dated March 8, 2005) .

Please read and enjoy the inspiring message below:

PEACE IN THE STORM

A place for hope & encouragement

One Who Understands (Hebrews 4:15-16)

 Do you ever wish there was someone you could talk to? Someone who would understand the challenges you face at any given moment? But maybe, as you think of all your friends and family, and perhaps even your church pastor, it seems that there is no such person. Sure, there are plenty who are compassionate and wise who will give you a hug or share an encouraging word, but there’s no one with whom you can have that intimate talk – or cry – that your heart desires.

If you’ve never felt that way, then maybe it’s just me… I’ve been there more than once, where, even with a great support group around me, I knew there was no one I could go to who would really understand what I was going through. After all, it’s my life, so how could an outsider really understand? And I’m betting I’m not the only one who’s ever felt that way.

 I found some good news in the book of Hebrews, though:

Hebrews 4:15-16

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

That High Priest is Jesus Christ. And in Him, I found that I am not alone. There is Someone I can talk to, who will understand exactly what I’m going through and what I need at any given moment… because He’s been there! The same is true for you!

I’ve read the book of Hebrews before, but for some reason that passage never jumped out at me until I happened upon it a few months ago. I already knew I could come boldly before God, because there is another passage in Hebrews that expresses my right to do so:

Hebrews 10:19

New King James Version (NKJV)

Hold Fast Your Confession

¹⁹ Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,

Hebrews 10:22

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

²² let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…

Both passages invite us to draw near to God, which is beautiful, but they hardly have the same meaning. The key follows the "therefore" of each passage.

In Hebrews 10:19, we are told that because of the blood of Jesus, therefore we can approach God with boldness. That is Christianity 101. Without the blood of Jesus, we are all sinners doomed to an eternal separation from God. When we accept Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, though, and allow His cleansing blood to wash over us, we are made perfect in the eyes of God, and we are worthy of being in His presence. Let us never forget the blood of Jesus which gives us this ultimate privilege!

In Hebrews 4:15-16, we are told that because Jesus was in all points tempted as we are, and as a result can sympathize with our weaknesses, therefore we can approach God with boldness, knowing He will meet us with mercy and grace. Does that strike you the way it struck me?

The Hebrews 10 verses give us the right to come to the throne; the Hebrews 4 verses give us the reason to come to the throne.

Think about your relationship with the President of the United States. Most likely, you can’t easily approach the President on your own. If someone gave you a “pass” to get to him, that would be great. But even then, other than for the novelty of it, what would be the point? He is in a totally different place in life than you and me, and he has a lot of things going on, so he’s probably not going to be able to connect with what you need from him. I’m sure he would listen kindly with the best of intentions, but ultimately, he’s probably not going to be able to personally help you.

With Jesus’ blood, we have that “pass” to get to God, our Father in heaven. But what would be the real value of that if we only found God to be some high and mighty king who reigned from a distance, who couldn’t directly connect with His children? It would be an honor to be in His presence, but it wouldn’t be an intimate encounter.

That is not at all the case, though! When we come before the throne of God, He is thrilled. He has extended an invitation: come, draw near. He has told us to come boldly, with confidence. Why? Because He understands what we are going through – because He has Himself endured everything we will ever face and He can relate first-hand!

By the way, it’s important to know that the word for “tempted” in Hebrews 4:15 can also be translated to indicate enduring “trials” or “tests.” (Sometimes in our language today, we don’t think of temptations, trials and tests as having the same meaning, and that could cause you to miss the value in that verse.) How comforting it is to know that Jesus relates to us on such a real level. No one can compare to that.

God invites us. He gives us the right to come boldly. He understands our needs. And He will respond with love and compassion.

Keep that in mind the next time you pray. See if it doesn’t change the way you talk to Him.

Please enjoy the below song/video (with lyrics) of  “Take Me To The King”, as sung with anointing by Tamela Mann.

(I do not own the rights to this song.)

BE BLESSED!