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Source: The Works of John Bunyan Volume 1
(Banner of Truth Trust, 1991)

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

The epistle of Hebrews was left to the church by the Holy Spirit to show the high priesthood of Jesus Christ and the excellent benefits His people have because of that priesthood.  That is why Hebrews 3:1 calls on us to, “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.” We are to consider His greatness and equality with God. We are at the same time to consider His humanity which made Him compassionate, tender, loving, and feeling our weaknesses. Because of Who Christ is we are called on to come to Him for grace. “Seeing then that 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 was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16).

I.  God has More than One Throne (p. 643)

Scripture shows us that God has many thrones. The Psalmist says that “The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven …” (Psalm 11:4) but Jeremiah says that Jerusalem is also the Lord’s throne (Jeremiah 3:17).  In the last day God will sit on His throne of Judgment. At that throne there will be nothing of grace. The tears and pleading at that throne will not relax His certain judgment.

II.      The Godly Can Distinguish One Throne From Another  (pp. 643-656)

A. What is important about this word Grace? (pp. 644-645)

Grace means the free, sovereign, good pleasure, by which Christ acts towards His people.  The place of God’s grace in the Old Testament is called the mercy seat. There should be comfort in knowing that a since a seat is a place for resting, then God finds rest in showing His children mercy. God promised Israel that the end of the matter for them would not be judgment but instead mercy. “So I will lay to rest My fury toward you, and My jealousy shall depart from you. I will be quiet, and be angry no more… Nevertheless I will remember My covenant with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you.  Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed, when you receive your older and your younger sisters; for I will give them to you for daughters, but not because of My covenant with you. And I will establish My covenant with you. Then you shall know that I am the Lord, that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide you an atonement for all you have done,” says the Lord GOD’” (Ezekiel 16:42, 60-63).  This and other Scripture reveals to us that God’s place of rest is mercy and that is where He will rest forever. What a blessing that is for us in His Church to know!

B. What is indicated by the ‘throne of grace’? (pp. 645)

1.       It  indicates that the godly sin.

Converted people are not free from the being of sin. We would not need a throne of grace if not for that fact that sin is a reality to be faced by God’s people. Believers need a throne of grace because sin seeks to have dominion over us. This is seen in the command given to us: “do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts” (Romans 6:12).

2.       It  indicates the struggle the godly have with sin.

Even the godly man is hard pressed by sin in this world. So great is this struggle at times that the believer must cry to heaven and the throne of grace to rescue him from sin’s dominion (See Luke 22:31; 2 Corinthians 12:7-8 and Psalm 71:3).

3.       It indicates that Christians are sometimes overcome by sin.

Christians do at times even find themselves fallen in sin with no way to get up accept by grace. When believer fall in this it shows that they failed to constantly stay before the throne of grace. They would not fall if they had. Needless as these falls are, they do happen and when they do we require God’s grace to be lifted up. Since all of these things are true it makes sense that we need to be better acquainted with this throne of grace. We need to know where our help comes from and stand in that help.

C. What is the throne of grace? (pp. 645-646)

The throne of grace is the humanity or the heart and soul of Jesus Christ. It is in Christ that God sits and rests forever to show His love to those that believe in Him. Isaiah foretold that Christ would become this throne of God’s mercy: “The key of the house of David I will lay on his shoulder; So he shall open, and no  one shall shut;  And he shall shut, and no one shall open.  I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, And he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house” (Isaiah 22:22-23). Without the humanity of Christ we would never find a place of grace and mercy. Lay aside what Christ did for us in His humanity and all you have left is the justice of God. Therefore when you ask, “What is the throne of grace?” The answer is Christ Himself. Christ Jesus is the place that God’s grace reigns (see Romans 5:21). The humanity of Christ is also called the tabernacle of God. In Christ dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily. He is God’s habitation, His dwelling place, His throne where He sits.

D. Where is the throne of grace? (pp. 646)

To understand the image of the throne of grace we have to understand what the mercy seat was in the Old Testament tabernacle.  In the Tabernacle there was the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies. These were separated by a veil through which no man could pass. Hebrews tells us that Christ is that veil that stands between this world and God’s grace (see Hebrews 9:3-5; 10:20). In the Holy of Holies the mercy seat was set above the Ark of the Covenant (see Deuteronomy 10:1-5; 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chronicles 5:10). The Ark was where the law of God was kept. To get to the mercy seat one had to pass by the law.  God uses this symbol to remind us that grace sits above and beyond the Law. Grace sits on a throne while the law does not. This does not mean the Law is unimportant but rather that its function is to lead us to grace.

E. Why are the law and mercy-seat so near each other? (p. 647-648)

1.       We are reminded that we are sinners.

 “By the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). God has placed the law before the mercy seat to remind us of our constant need for His grace. The law reminds us that we are sinners and that reminds us that we need grace.

2.       We are made more fervent in our prayers.

This constant reminder that we are sinners should but an urgency in our prayers. As we come to the King for grace we see the reminders of His justice and wrath. Nevertheless we can come to God boldly in prayer because we know in Christ we will never experience the justice of God, only His grace. The law cannot hurt us when grace is always nearby! Also, remember that God is no longer in the law but instead in grace for those who have received His Son.

Have you ever wondered why you find yourself growing depressed even as you pray. It is because you see the Ark of the Law there. You see yourself reflected in the justice of God’s truths. It is good that you see those things but you need to look a little higher. Just above the law is the mercy seat and the throne of grace.

F. What does the throne of grace look like? (pp. 648-656)

1.       There is a rainbow around it . (pp. 648-649)

In Revelation chapter one John saw the Lord who said, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:18). He then heard a voice calling him to see a vision of heaven. The first thing in heaven that John saw was that there was throne set up in heaven and that “He that sat was to look like a jasper, and a sardine stone, and there was a rainbow round about the throne” (Revelation 4:1-3). When God first set a rainbow in the sky it was a sign of his covenant with man to show man mercy and kindness (see Genesis 9:13-15).  That covenant was only a shadow of the covenant of grace that God has made with His elect in Christ

The rainbow represents the righteousness with which Christ is robbed. Indeed a rainbow is a fitting symbol for the righteousness of Christ. That first rainbow was a token that God’s wrath was appeased in the flood. We are spared from God’s wrath because we are dressed in Christ’s righteousness.

2.       There is a  high-priest before it.  (pp. 649-650)

Christ, as our high priest is always at throne making intercession for believers. One of the main things the high priest of the Old Testament wore was, “…a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash …” (Exodus 28:4).  Isaiah 11:5 tells us that Christ’s sash is truth and faithfulness. On Aaron’s breastplate were written the names of the children of Israel and on Christ hearts are written our names. It is when we come to the throne of grace and see Christ that we are able to have boldness and offer praises to God the Father. “Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15).

3.       There is a sacrifice made there. (pp. 650-651)

The high priest could never enter the Holy of Holies empty handed. He had to enter with blood. Every year the high priest would enter that place but, “not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins committed in ignorance” (Hebrews 9:7). In heaven, however the blood offered is not from some physical lamb but rather from the blood of the “lamb that was slain” (Revelation 5:6).  It is, “not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12). Our high priest Whom we look to in prayer is Christ. He ever stands before the Father revealing the wounds He took in our place at the cross.

That throne of grace we look to is Christ and He is both sacrifice and priest. As our sacrifice He is passive, the One who suffered for us. As our priest He is active, making atonement for us. When you come to the throne of grace, remember you are there because of the shed blood of Christ!  It is not our prayers, our tears, or our wishes that melts the hearts of God but rather it is the blood of Christ. It is Christ who prevails for us in prayer not we ourselves.

4.       There is a stream that proceeds from it (pp. 651-653)

As John viewed heaven he saw, “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Revelation 22:1).  Christ sends grace like a river out to His church. The refrain, “Grace to you, and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” is repeated often in the New Testament (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; I Thessalonians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; Philemon 2). Only Christ has the power to give grace and forgiveness (see John 5:21-26; Mark 2:10). His grace is called a river because it something we are often invited to drink deeply from. “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).

God’s grace is a healing river. That fact in itself indicates our need for grace. Healing water is only needed by those who are sick. The throne of grace has healing waters; waters for soul-healing. It is where those who are sick for mercy can leave their sighs and tears. “The Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to £living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17). Just as Joseph washed his face and wiped his tears when he saw his brother Benjamin so believers shall have their sorrows and tears washed away when they see God’s Benjamin,  Jesus Christ.

Because it is a river there is an abundance of grace. A pond or cistern can hold much water but a river much more. A river is needed by sinners in the need of grace. Ponds an pools will not do. Like the deer pants for streams of water so does our heart pant for God (see Psalm 43:1). We are, “those who those who receive abundance of grace …” (Romans 5:17). “They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures” (Psalm 36:8).  This river is pure and clear as crystal. There is nothing mingled in with God’s grace when He gives it to us. “The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, And He adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22). This also reminds us there is nothing we can add to grace. We need grace and grace alone.

5.       The effect it has on us.  (pp. 653-655)

Seeing who is around the throne is a great encouragement. “A great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10). What an encouragement it is to see all those who have come that same throne of grace before us. Surely among those multitudes accepted at the throne you can see someone in worse condition than yourself.

At that throne are countless souls who also needed grace singing praises for that grace. “They sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll,  And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation,  And have made us kings and priests to our God;  And we shall reign on the earth” (Revelation 5:8-10). When you come to the throne of grace you will find there is already a multitude there. So why do you hang your harp on the willows and go drooping about the world  acting as though there is no God, no throne, and no grace to help you in your time of need. Listen to what those souls already at the throne of grace are saying, ““Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and honor and glory and blessing! … Blessing and honor and glory and power Be to Him who sits on the throne, And to the Lamb, forever and ever!” (Revelation 5:12-13). There is an numberless number of believers already at throne receiving mercy and grace so be bold in your hope for His mercy!

6.       The effects that come from the throne  (pp. 655-656)

“From the throne proceeded lightnings, thunderings, and voices …” (Revelation 4:5). The lightning from the throne reminds us of the light that God shines on this dark world. It is God, “who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). It was this same lightning that came from the throne and struck Paul as he rode on his way to destroy and kill the people of God.  These are the lightning flashes that show sinners that sad condition and their way our of that condition. God “gives light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).

With lightning there is always thunder. This is the powerful revelation of the power of God in His Word and truth. That revelation fills our heart with a reverential awe of God. “The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon” (Psalm 29:4-5). God has thundered to cause you to hear Him and sent lightning to cause you to see your way to Him.

III. The Persons Called to the Throne of Grace (pp. 656-658)

A.      They are called to come to the throne (pp. 656-657)

There are number of descriptions in Hebrews of those who are invited to the throne of grace. All of these are descriptions of a true Christian. Some of these qualities include:

• They have sincerely listened to the Word of God (2:.1).
• They have seen Jesus crowned with glory and honor (2: 9).
• They are called His children (2: 14).
• They are called the seed of Abraham (2: 16).
• The are called Christ’s brethren (2: 17)
• They have Jesus Christ as their apostle and high priest (3:1-6)
• They have entered into the rest of a high priest who knows their weaknesses (4:3,14-16).
• They have fled for refuge to Jesus who is the anchor of their souls (6:9-17).
• They are the ones who draw close to God (7:19).
• They have been given eternal redemption by the Christ (9:12).
• They are the ones for whom Christ has entered the Holy Place (9:22).
• They have been sanctified by the will of God (10:10).
• They are the ones who have boldness to enter the Holy Place by the blood of Christ (10:19).
• They are the one who draw to God with a sincere heart (10:22-25).

B.      The order in which they are called (pp. 657-658)

There was a definite order of things in the Old Testament tabernacle which illustrate the order in which we come to the throne of grace. First, a Gentile could not go directly to the mercy-seat but first had to be circumcised a Jew. In the same a person must first be placed in the church as a believer in Christ before he can approach the throne of grace. Second, the priest had to be clean before they came to the mercy seat. (see Exodus 30:17-21). So must we confess our sins to come to the throne of God’s grace. Third, the priests had to wash if they had touched any unclean thing before ministering before God.

All of these things indicate the manner in which we must come to the throne of God. “let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22). Before the throne of grace in heaven there is a sea of glass. This shows that we must be washed in the God’s water before coming to His throne. That water signifies the New Covenant as found in the God’s Word. It is through the washing of the Word of God that we can come to Him (Titus 3:5). A person must first come to Christ as God’s Word presents Him. That is, we must come to Him as the crucified and resurrected Christ Whose blood gives remission of sins.

Christ’s blood was shed outside the gates of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:11-15). We too are outside the gate of God’s throne. Only when we come to Christ as Savior and Lord can we enter the gates. We are following the one Who has entered already for us. It is through believing what God tells us about Christ that we enter the gates of the throne room. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

No one who tramples under his feet the blood of Christ will have access to the throne of grace. Only those who have been willing to die to their old pretensions can enter the Kingdom. Nothing that pollutes are is unclean will be allowed into God’s Holy Place. Therefore, we must be cleansed by the blood of Christ first and then we can enter with boldness to seek mercy and grace. Then we have “boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).

IV.    How We are To Approach the Throne of Grace (pp. 658-663)

A.      Through the second veil (pp. 658-659)

One way exists for us to approach the throne of grace and that is through the veil of the flesh of Jesus Christ.  We “have boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20).  It is Christ Who, “made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:20-22). This is the only way to God’s grace; there is no back door. This is the new and living way because the old way to God (in the Garden of Eden) is barred by flaming cherubim (see Genesis 3:24).

B.      With a clean heart (p. 659)

The priest of the Old Testament could not enter the Holy of Holies without first being cleansed by blood himself. Neither can we enter before the throne of grace without being covered by the blood of Christ. This is applied in a practical way through faith. That is why we are told to, “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience” (Hebrews 10:22).

C.      Washed in the Word of God (p. 660)

Just before Christ went to the Father he told Peter and the disciples, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (John 13:8). This water is the wholesome doctrine of the Word of God as implanted in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples, “you are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you” (John 15:3). To be bold at the throne of grace one must first be well acquainted with the doctrine of the blood of Christ as revealed in the Word of God. That means knowing that Christ’s blood was shed for you and why.

D.      With boldness (pp. 660-661)

1.       We come with boldness because Christ has gone this way.

Our encouragement to come to the throne begins at the cross and Christ dying there. Christ Himself went that way to the Father and that is the way will also find access to Him.

2.       We come with boldness because of our sincerity .

We can come with boldness because we have a true heart and a full assurance of faith (see Hebrews 10:22). Our ground of coming to God is not our strength or weakness. Instead, weak or strong, we can come boldly because we have an assurance that Christ has made the way already for us.

3.       We come with boldness because of our deep desire.

Even when David was filled with guilt, was heavy hearted and unsure what to do he could still say, “Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You” (Psalm 38:9). Even in his sin, David had a deep desire to come to throne. Remember though, that desire must be accompanied by a true knowledge of the One who has made the way for us, Jesus Christ.

4.       We come with boldness because of our persistence in coming.

The Psalmist said, “O Lord, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles,  And my life draws near to the grave” (Psalm 88:1-3). Here was a man under a very dark cloud yet he had a sure knowledge that God would hear. Truthfully, we are tested at times by God. “He covers the face of His throne, And spreads His cloud over it” (Job 26:9). God allows these silent times to see if we will keep coming to Him. The hypocrite will not. He will give up quickly when he doesn’t get what he wants. It isn’t always weak faith that delays God’s answers. Sometimes God is making our faith even stronger by inviting us to persist. Faith will remain in the dark as well as in the light. It will say along with Job, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

E.      How do we recognize grace? (pp. 661-663)

1.       We recognize grace by comparing it with out own condition.

A Philippian jailor knew well what grace he needed because he knew the hopelessness of his own condition. Peter came to fully understand his total dependence on Christ when as he was sinking in the sea he cried out, “Lord save me!” (Matthew 14:30).  What makes grace so good to us is the horribleness of our own sin. Because we know our natural condition the Christian has an instinct to seek God’s grace. “Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). A man can be hard at work but hunger will carry him to the dinner table. Let him get hungry enough and it will drive him to forget everything else until his hunger is satisfied. A baby seeks its mother’s breast by nature and a child of God seeks His grace in the same manner. 

2.       We recognize grace by contrasting it with other sources we have looked to for help.

Christians recognize all the place that offer no grace. They have been to Mount Sinai where the Law gave nothing but thunder, lightning, earthquakes, and killing words. They have tried to find grace in their own good works. They have sought grace in their resolutions, their repentance, and many other sources. Indeed there is no grace in those things. They have gone with their pitchers to these fountains and returned empty and ashamed because there is no river of life in those things. Paul came to realize that grace was not to be found in any acts of man. He said, “indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8). Paul did find the grace he sought but he found it in Jesus Christ not himself (see Romans 9:29-31; 5:1-3).

3.       We recognize grace by God’s leadership.

God Himself directs us toward His grace. “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ” (2 Thessalonians 3:5). On our own, our prayers often fall short of the throne. In those times the Holy Spirit guides us how to pray (see Romans 8:26).

4.       We recognize grace by the glory we see there.

When I seek grace in anything other than Christ alone all I see is darkness and my heart grows cold and lifeless. But when I look to Christ my soul mounts up with wings like an eagle. We can recognize grace by that lifting of the heart that only God can give.

V.      Our Motives For Coming Boldly to the Throne of Grace (pp. 663-682)

A.      Because of the high-priest we have (pp. 663-676)

1.       The legal qualifications of our high-priest. (pp. 663-672)

a)       He was placed in this office by the Father.

Priests of the Old Testament served under temporary conditions. Christ, however, “He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood” (Hebrews 7:24). His status as a high-priest is so much better than any earthly priest. Those priests had to make sacrifice over and over again and even then those sacrifices could do nothing about sin. But Jesus, “after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:11-14). Because Christ a high-priest appointed by the Father and perfectly fulfilling that role we are told to, “consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 3:1).

b)       He has an unchangeable priesthood.

Christ is raised from the dead and dies no more! He is the Prince of life. Because He never changes, “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). This is a great encouragement to we who come to the throne of grace. God has promised that he never reject anyone who comes by way of Christ and Christ never changes.

c)       Other legal qualifications of our high-priest.

The High Priest of the Old Testament was commanded to only enter the Holy of Holies in proper robes as prescribed by God. Christ also has prepared his own robes to wear into the throne room.  He is, “the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band” (Revelation 1:13). That robe Christ wears is made up of His perfect obedience to the Law and the righteous demands of God the Father (see Romans 5:19). Old Testament priests only wore their robes at times but Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us.

d)       His offering for Himself.

Considering again the Old Testament priest. He had to first consecrate himself before he could make offerings for others (see Exodus 29:5-7, 19-22). Jesus prayed to the Father, “for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:19). How did Christ sprinkle Himself with blood? The answers is in the Garden when he poured forth great sweat drops of blood. Christ shed this blood alone as He contemplated facing the demands of the Law and the wrath of the Father. “When He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear” (Hebrews 5:7).

e)       The sacrifice offered by our high-priest

The burnt offering for sins had two parts, the flesh and the fat. The fat was called the sacrifice of the inward parts (see Leviticus 3:12-16). In the same way Jesus sacrificed Himself in two parts. The first was His flesh while the fat was His soul. As the fat burned it made the flames increase upwards toward the heavens. As Christ gave up His soul in agony the Father saw the travail of His soul and was satisfied (see Isaiah 53:10-12). The soul-groans, cries and conflicts together with his soul-submission made Christ’s sacrifice all the more sweet to the Father.

f)         He was a willing and effective sacrifice.

Leviticus specified how the sacrifice must be offered. “If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will …” (Leviticus 1:3). Christ did all of this and more in his sacrifice for us. He was without blemish (Hebrews 7:27). He laid down his life willingly (see John 10:18; Luke 12:5).  Christ gave His life freely and even did so for His enemies. “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).

g)       How Christ executes his office of high-priest.

He is executing his office by standing before the Father to intercede for us. His very presence before the Father is an intercession for us.

2.       The natural qualifications of our high-priest (pp. 672-676).

a)       He is a partaker of our nature.

The angels love us but they are not capable of feeling our distresses. That is because they are of a totally different nature than we are. Christ was born of a woman and tempted in all points like we are. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15). Because He took on Himself our nature Christ is part of us. A bear robbed of her cubs is less provoked than Christ is when one of His children is led astray.

b)       He is our relative.

He not only partook of our nature but He has made us part of His brotherhood. “For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren” (Hebrews 2:11). “In all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17). A brother will go far for another brother. There is a brotherly relationship between Christ and us and He will go all the way for us!

c)       He understands our temptations and weaknesses.

From the cradle to the cross he was a man of sorrows. He knew afflictions and temptations throughout His life (see Matthew 4:3-10; Luke 4:1-13). Because of this Christ is well prepared to hear us when we come to Him with our weaknesses and temptations.

d)       We are a part of Him – we are His members.

“For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones” (Ephesians 5:30). Because we are part of Christ He can never lose touch with our hearts. He is always our head and we are always His members. He cares for all of His members, even the most infirmed.

e)       He is a holy high-priest.

When a man takes an position of leadership, the more unholy he is the worse he performs that duty. The more holy he is the better he performs his duties. We are told that Christ is, “such a High Priest … fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens” (Hebrews 7:26). “Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way” (Psalm 25:8).

f)         He is a harmless high-priest.

Jesus is a holy and harmless high-priest (see Hebrews 7:26). Give a harmful man an position of authority and watch what hurt he can cause! But our high-priest is harmless. He will deny no one access to the Father if they come through Him. He shows no respect to persons and accepts no bribe. Christ is wholly gracious and has our best good always in mind.

g)       He is an undefiled high-priest.

Nothing done by us can tempt Him or change Him. He carries out His office justly.

B.      Because of the urgency of our need: 

1.       Ten special times of need  (pp. 676-682)

a)       When we are first saved

Satan is never so angered as when one his children are first stolen from him. He will throw everything he can at the one who has fled to Christ. He will tempt, threaten, flatter and do whatever else he can to seek to mar what the potter has made on the wheel.

b)       In times of prosperity

This means spiritual prosperity. Satan knows how to lay a trap for you in Canaan as well as the wilderness. He will tempt you in times of fullness as well as the empty times. Moses warned Israel of this very thing when he said, “So it shall be, when the Lord your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn-out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant—when you have eaten and are full—then beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage” (Deuteronomy 6:10-12). There are often snares to be avoided in our best of times.

c)       In times of emptiness and poverty

Poverty can tempt us to forget common decency toward others and encourage us to ignore God’s Word. That is why the writer of wisdom said, “Give me neither poverty nor riches— Feed me with the food allotted to me; Lest I be full and deny You,  And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal,  And profane the name of my God” (Proverbs 30:7-9).

d)       In times of persecution

e)       When we enter into new relations

f)         When people around us lose all modesty

g)       In times of guilt

h)       When we are slandered by others

i)         \When we are forsaken by friends

j)         On the day of death.

2.       We need a continuing supply of mercy and grace.

We need a continuing supply of mercy. David said, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6). In Psalm 94:18 he said, “If I say, ’My foot slips,’ Your mercy, O Lord, will hold me up.” There is never a day that we do not need mercy.  Mercy always precedes grace. One would not recognize grace if he had not first received mercy. Grace is that continual supply given to us by God that enables us to live for Him. He gives grace to the humble (see James 4:6; Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). There is a continual reminder in our lives that His grace is sufficient for us. We are always reminded that nothing can be done without God’ grace. “By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).

Each day requires new grace. Like a good meal, a seasonable shower or a penny in one’s pocket, today’s grace serves today’s needs. We are called pilgrims in his land. As we travel from one trial to another we travel from one need of grace to another.

Conclusion (pp. 682-684)

If grace is so great a thing then sin must be so dreadful a thing. Jesus did not suffer the cross for a small or light thing. Sin must therefore be a most fearsome of things. The fact that Christ gave us mercy and grace should cause great gratefulness in our hearts. Like Paul we should say, “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15). In the end let us all, “draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:22-24).

Farewell

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