October 13 – Hebrews 4:14-16. A Friend at the Throne

October 13 – Hebrews 4:14-16.  A Friend at the Throne

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

A friend told me about going before a judge, accused of something she hadn't done.  But, the accuser pushed things until they stood in court before a judge.  As my friend looked up at him, she realized that they had attended law school together and had been very good friends during those years.  He knew her, her character and her behavior.  He knew that she could not have done the things that the accuser laid out.  Since there was no real evidence, he recognized that this was a petty accusation and set it aside.
That's the type of friend that stands before the throne of grace with us.  Jesus knows what it is like to be us.  He came to earth to stand with us, he faced temptations that we face and though he is without sin, He understands what we deal with every day.

With this great high priest standing before us, we know that we will receive mercy and grace at God's throne.