George Whitfield, the Anglican preacher who was part of the Great Awakening in the American colonies, once said, “Come away, my dear brethren—fly, fly, fly for your lives to Jesus Christ, fly to a bleeding God, fly to a throne of grace . . . beg of God to give you faith, and to enable you to be close with Jesus Christ.” Long before Whitfield encouraged believers to fly to Jesus, the writer of Hebrews encouraged weary believers to approach Him boldly and confidently as their Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14,16).
Calling Jesus the Great High Priest was significant because His priesthood was superior to all high priests, especially Aaron—the first Jewish high priest. It was superior because no other high priest, not even Aaron, was ever given the title of “great,” no other high priest had a ministry in heaven like Jesus, and no other high priest could be approached by ordinary people. Surely it must have been a surprise to the audience when the writer of Hebrews invited everyone to come to Christ with their weaknesses and temptations. The author wrote, “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16).
Jesus was not only a high priest to the early believers, but He’s our high priest as well. How do we access the help we need? We should turn from our rebellion against God and boldly run. . . no, fly to Him. He “understands our weaknesses” and invites us to cast all our cares and temptations upon His broad and strong shoulders (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus, our perfect and Great High Priest, will give us mercy and grace to face all of our challenges (Hebrews 5:9). Fly to Him!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Deuteronomy 30:1-20
More:
Read Hebrews 10:19-23 and consider why you can draw near to Jesus and fly to His throne of grace.
Next:
What burdens, weaknesses, and temptations should you bring to Jesus today? What area of your life needs His mercy and grace?
gary1schelvan on February 24, 2016 at 4:42 am
“Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16).
Thank you so much Marvin for writing this beautiful posting.
He “understands our weaknesses” and invites us to cast all our cares and temptations upon His broad and strong shoulders (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus, our perfect and Great High Priest, will give us mercy and grace to face all of our challenges (Hebrews 5:9). Fly to Him!
To know this in one’s heart & soul, is worth all the gold in the world. To have HIS mercy & grace is really all that we need.
marvin williams on February 24, 2016 at 11:45 am
gary, thanks for your comment. Your voice is appreciated. i love that Jesus understands our weaknesses. Blessings!
Gary Shultz on February 24, 2016 at 5:57 am
Marvin, as Gary1 and you say, “understanding our weakness”. It took me a long time to accept that, but what freedom we do find in that aspect of our relationship. You ask what we should bring to Jesus today, for me it’s just about everything. And why not? Why should we not saturate this opportunity with Christ’s abundance. Thanks Marvin
marvin williams on February 24, 2016 at 11:47 am
Gary2, I am sitting with you on this. Jesus is calling me to surrender my ego, pride, fears, and everything else. Thanks for adding your voice here. grace and peace.
gagirllive on February 24, 2016 at 7:12 am
Interestingly, this is right where I am in my reading through the Bible once again….Leviticus. In yesterday’s reading Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, had just offered “strange fire” on the altar of incense and were themselves consumed by God’s wrath. Understandably so, great fear and trembling fell upon Aaron and the whole congregation. Who can approach such a holy and awesome God? But praise be to God for giving us a Great High Priest in Jesus! He is superior in every way. He tore the veil and gave us access into the Holy of Holies so that we might come to God without fear. Because I know this throne is one that dispenses grace and mercy, I will indeed “fly” to it, bringing Him every burden, every struggle…everything. Too high a price has been paid for me to do anything less. A great post for us today, Marvin. Thank you!
marvin williams on February 24, 2016 at 11:48 am
gagirllive, don’t you love it when God orchestrates.
senake on February 24, 2016 at 11:00 am
In a confused world like ours, it is always difficult to run or fly for you don’t know to where; but knowing Jesus, the way, the truth and the life we can surely and confidently fly to Him. Thanks
marvin williams on February 24, 2016 at 11:49 am
senake, yes and yes again.