Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
This passage of Scripture is precious to me personally. During my first year
of Bible college I became discouraged one day and turned to the Bible for
comfort. I opened my inspired King James Bible and read Hebrews 4:15-16. It gripped my soul
and I have never forgotten what I learned.
The Bible teaches that blood-washed believers have a right to “boldly” approach God's throne of grace, to obtain mercy to find grace to help in time of need. What a precious PROMISE from God! Boldly doesn't mean arrogantly nor proudly; but rather, confidently because we KNOW that our sins have been forgiven in Christ. God wants us to come boldly to Him for “HELP IN TIME OF NEED.” I love this passage of Scripture.
The Bible says that Jesus was tempted in all areas “AS WE ARE, YET WITHOUT SIN.” Jesus is the perfect, sinless, Lamb of God (1st Peter 2:22). The Greek word for “tempted” here is peirazo, which means, “to test.” Hence, the Lord was tested in all ways, just as we are daily, but He never sinned. Life is a big test. Every day is another test. The Bible wonderfully encourages us by saying that Jesus is not only our High Priest, but He was tempted in all areas, YET WITHOUT SIN. The Lord wants us to know that HE KNOWS what we're going through.
I don't know exactly how Jesus can know what a tired mother is going through, but the Bible says He does. Jesus was tested “IN ALL POINTS” the Bible says! Jesus understands the feeling of our infirmities. The Greek word for “infirmities” is astheneia, meaning “feebleness (of body or mind); by implication, malady, moral frailty: —disease, infirmity, sickness, weakness.” Jesus knows our afflictions. If you believe the Bible, then you must believe accept that Jesus knows and cares about our afflictions in all our misery. Whatever your situation may be, the Lord can relate to it.
The Bible plainly states, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” The word “touched” is the Greek, sumpatheo, meaning “to feel 'sympathy' with,” that is, (by implication) to commiserate (which means “To feel or express sympathy or compassion.”
We've all been in situations where we want to relate with another person's situation (hurt and affliction), but we simply cannot. Unless one has been a quadriplegic, they cannot possibly understand the loneliness. Unless one has been through an unwanted divorce, they cannot possibly understand the overwhelming mental grief, a sense of total loss and desperation (even suicide). Ah, but the Lord Jesus Christ DOES understand. The Bible says Jesus can be touched with our infirmities, able to genuinely relate with our situation in order to comfort and help us. The Bible says to come boldly to God's throne of grace. Do you know why it is called God's “THRONE OF GRACE?” It's because God is a merciful and gracious God.
The Bible plainly teaches that Jesus' work of redemption makes it possible for us to approach God's throne of grace. If Jesus hadn't died, been buried, and rose again for our sins, then we could never have a right to approach God. Jesus paid our sin debt! God invites us as born-again believers to come before His throne in prayer for help. If you're not saved, then you don't have a right to come to God. If you're a Christ-rejecter, then you are still in your sins, hellbound. Not everyone has a right to approach God's throne of grace for help. If you have rejected the Son of God, then God has rejected you.
Only those persons who have received Jesus Christ, having believed on His name for salvation, are saved (John 1:12-13). If you are saved, then your sins have been washed away by the Lamb of God and you are free to approach God on that basis alone. No one has a right to come to God on the basis of self-righteousness or religious devotion. Catholics are taught to approach Jesus through the Virgin Mary (who supposedly sweetens Him up). You'll burn in Hell if that's you. Mary cannot help you one iota in any way, except to go to Hell forever. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross is the only bridge to God. Romans 5:9, “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” Mary cannot help you. El papa in Rome cannot help you. Your good life cannot help you. Praying the Rosary cannot help you. You need HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, that is, the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ (Romans 4:5-6).
Therefore, since Jesus understands our situation, we are encouraged to bring our problems and pains to Him in prayer. God PROMISES to have mercy on us and give us grace to help us. What is grace? If it helps us, then we ought to know what it is. The Greek word for grace here is charis, meaning:
“graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude).”
This word especially refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in our heart. The “grace” that “helps in time of need” is most often the work that God does in our heart to help us cope with our situation. Certainly God is still a miracle-working God. NOTHING is too hard for God to do. Most people want things from God, and get angry when God doesn't give them money, worldly success or an easy way out of life's difficulties. God doesn't work that way my friend. You must suffer the afflictions of life just like everyone else. Just because you serve God doesn't mean that your car won't crash and burn like everyone else's.
Time and chance happeneth to all the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 9:11 (that's an easy Scripture reference to remember). When I think of the 911 attacks, I am reminded of this Scripture. Certainly the attacks did not happen by time and chance, but many people escaped death by time and chance that fateful morning. Only God knows who, when and where people die (Hebrews 9:27).
Since the Lord has paid our sins with His blood sacrifice, making Him our heavenly High Priest (one who intercedes between the Father and men), we are able to approach God without fear. The Old Testament high priest was killed by God if he dared to step into the holy place in the tabernacle without the blood of a lamb. But today, we as born-again Christians can walk right into God's presence and speak with Him through prayer. What a privilege! None of us deserves the God-given right to enter into God's presence. It is only though our Mediator, Christ Jesus, that we are able to do so (1st Timothy 2:5).
Jesus is every believer's High Priest, seated on the Father's right-hand. Romans 8:33-34, “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”
What precious Scriptures...
Hebrews 4:15-16, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
