"We should come then with confidence to the throne of Grace that we might for the purpose of receiving mercy and finding grace in time of assistance."1
This word for confidence, parrésia " freedom, openness, especially in speech; boldness, confidence," (from pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-outspokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness.) By Grace through faith the throne is as approachable as little children coming to Jesus. In fact Jesus said we must become like little children to enter. Let us approach the throne in confidence knowing we have such access in Christ.
"Having then brothers, confidence for the entering the holy place by the blood of Jesus."3
It is fitting the Father sits on a throne of Grace, as His Son came in the fullness of the Father, of Grace and Truth. "Through whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand..."4 Yes, we can approach the throne because Christ is our righteousness, Jeremiah prophesied of such a savior, "And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness."5 "No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus said.6
"In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence."7
Is it by obedience that I can approach? do I have to turn from my sin? must I clean up first, be holy? is it by works of righteousness? no, it is by faith "for the purpose of receiving mercy and finding grace..." In fact, if the purpose is for receiving grace and finding mercy then I need not do anything but believe in the One who was lifted up for salvation. Is not coming before the throne repentance and obedience? surely it is confidence in who I am as his child. Legalism puts heavy loads on the shoulders of men, they create stumbling blocks to the throne of Grace.
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture."8
This confidence is not by the letter of the law, no, "not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."10 Jesus through the Church established a priesthood, those called holy by name, "ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."11Such a ministry of the Spirit will be more glorious.
"how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God."12
I learned very early that I could boldly approach the throne through praise. There is something about raising a hand, it was at first an act of obedience but for the purpose of approaching, letting all else go, even what others might think and entering into his presence. How often do I drink living water through worship. "Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."14 "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,"15
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."16
It helps to understand this approachability to the throne through the eyes of the old covenant. In the weaker tabernacle made of human hands, the veil separated the holy place from the most holy place. The high priest would enter once a year, as the way had not been disclosed.17 The gifts and sacrifices being offered did not cleanse the consciousness of guilt because they consisted of laws, rules, external things like washings.18 Christ entered the weaker bringing the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by human hands, securing eternal redemption. According to the riches of His grace, we have redemption through his blood.19
"For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."20
Christ is a mediator of a better covenant, established on his blood, a death brought about a will and a covenant which gave men access to the throne, not by works of righteousness but by Grace through faith in Christ. It was the Holy Spirit that entered in before Christ, thus fulfilling the promise of eternal inheritance. The Spirit is this great testimony to God's purpose, to the heirs of the promise there would be a guarantee through an oath. A sealing by the Holy Spirit, "who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,"21
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God."22
Jesus was approachable by tax collectors and sinners. It was a sinner who washed the feet of Jesus with tears. Jesus hung out with these despised men, a drunkard and a glutton he was called, a tax collector he chose out of the crowd to fellowship with, entering his home, he even made one a disciple. The woman at the well, he did not turn her away, no, he didn't say to her, you can't be a part of my church, your a Samaritan, a woman living in adultery, be gone from me woman. No, he offered her living water and she took a big satisfying drink. Yes, the beggar understood, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."23
The leaders of Israel put heavy burdens on the people, command upon command, rule upon rule, but Isaiah says to them, "Here is rest, give rest to the weary," And, "Here is repose," but they would not listen."8 Jesus would come to bring rest to the weary, "Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious."24 Christ was buried in a rich man's tomb, yes, but when we find rest in Christ truly we can say "His resting place is glorious."
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,"25
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, bitten by poisonous snakes, many are perishing. Oh, do the people need a savior! Christ is lifted up, "that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."26 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat... without money and without cost."27 Yes, there is no cost, it is free food that does not perish. Come, with confidence to the throne of Grace, receive mercy and find grace in time of need.
It Is Well
This word for confidence, parrésia " freedom, openness, especially in speech; boldness, confidence," (from pas and a derivative of rheo; all out-outspokenness, i.e. frankness, bluntness.) By Grace through faith the throne is as approachable as little children coming to Jesus. In fact Jesus said we must become like little children to enter. Let us approach the throne in confidence knowing we have such access in Christ.
"Having then brothers, confidence for the entering the holy place by the blood of Jesus."3
It is fitting the Father sits on a throne of Grace, as His Son came in the fullness of the Father, of Grace and Truth. "Through whom we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand..."4 Yes, we can approach the throne because Christ is our righteousness, Jeremiah prophesied of such a savior, "And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness."5 "No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus said.6
"In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence."7
Is it by obedience that I can approach? do I have to turn from my sin? must I clean up first, be holy? is it by works of righteousness? no, it is by faith "for the purpose of receiving mercy and finding grace..." In fact, if the purpose is for receiving grace and finding mercy then I need not do anything but believe in the One who was lifted up for salvation. Is not coming before the throne repentance and obedience? surely it is confidence in who I am as his child. Legalism puts heavy loads on the shoulders of men, they create stumbling blocks to the throne of Grace.
"I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture."8
This confidence is not by the letter of the law, no, "not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."10 Jesus through the Church established a priesthood, those called holy by name, "ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."11Such a ministry of the Spirit will be more glorious.
"how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, purify our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God."12
I learned very early that I could boldly approach the throne through praise. There is something about raising a hand, it was at first an act of obedience but for the purpose of approaching, letting all else go, even what others might think and entering into his presence. How often do I drink living water through worship. "Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms."14 "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord,"15
"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name."16
It helps to understand this approachability to the throne through the eyes of the old covenant. In the weaker tabernacle made of human hands, the veil separated the holy place from the most holy place. The high priest would enter once a year, as the way had not been disclosed.17 The gifts and sacrifices being offered did not cleanse the consciousness of guilt because they consisted of laws, rules, external things like washings.18 Christ entered the weaker bringing the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by human hands, securing eternal redemption. According to the riches of His grace, we have redemption through his blood.19
"For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit."20
Christ is a mediator of a better covenant, established on his blood, a death brought about a will and a covenant which gave men access to the throne, not by works of righteousness but by Grace through faith in Christ. It was the Holy Spirit that entered in before Christ, thus fulfilling the promise of eternal inheritance. The Spirit is this great testimony to God's purpose, to the heirs of the promise there would be a guarantee through an oath. A sealing by the Holy Spirit, "who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it,"21
"Such confidence we have through Christ before God."22
Jesus was approachable by tax collectors and sinners. It was a sinner who washed the feet of Jesus with tears. Jesus hung out with these despised men, a drunkard and a glutton he was called, a tax collector he chose out of the crowd to fellowship with, entering his home, he even made one a disciple. The woman at the well, he did not turn her away, no, he didn't say to her, you can't be a part of my church, your a Samaritan, a woman living in adultery, be gone from me woman. No, he offered her living water and she took a big satisfying drink. Yes, the beggar understood, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."23
The leaders of Israel put heavy burdens on the people, command upon command, rule upon rule, but Isaiah says to them, "Here is rest, give rest to the weary," And, "Here is repose," but they would not listen."8 Jesus would come to bring rest to the weary, "Then in that day The nations will resort to the root of Jesse, Who will stand as a signal for the peoples; And His resting place will be glorious."24 Christ was buried in a rich man's tomb, yes, but when we find rest in Christ truly we can say "His resting place is glorious."
"Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,"25
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, bitten by poisonous snakes, many are perishing. Oh, do the people need a savior! Christ is lifted up, "that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."26 "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat... without money and without cost."27 Yes, there is no cost, it is free food that does not perish. Come, with confidence to the throne of Grace, receive mercy and find grace in time of need.
It Is Well