Approach God’s Throne with Confidence

We all have goals in life.  The founders of our nation had a sense of what those goals might be: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Under that title we can probably list up a few more goals: money, relationships, to have fun, to love and be loved.  But, for us Christians there is an ultimate goal.  The reason the Lord God gives us our life and all its blessings—money (whether a lot or a little), health (whether in tip top shape or failing), life (whether long or short) is to have a relationship with God that lasts forever.   For when you have a solid relationship with God then the other goals you have in life will serve that purpose.  Therefore may the Holy Spirit lead us to

Approach God’s Throne With Confidence

Because Only One Could Do It

God taught his Old Testament believers how important their relationship was to him with a visual lesson. God set up a place of worship for his people to gain an understanding about that relationship.  While they were in the desert he set up the Tabernacle, and once the capital was established in Jerusalem he had them build the Temple.  You have a picture of this place in your heads.  There was the outer courtyard where the people could come and bring their sacrifices to offer on the altar.  The temple was divided into two places—the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies.  In the center of the Holy of Holies was a box covered in gold about 4 feet long and 2 feet wide and high. On the top “²⁰ The cherubim will spread their wings upward so that they cover the atonement seat with their wings, and they will face each other. The faces of the cherubim are to be looking inward toward the atonement seat” (Ex 25:20).  Inside the box were the Two Tablets of Stone on which were written the 10 Commandments, a jar of manna, and Aaron’s staff that had budded when he was chosen at the High Priest.  These items taught a lesson.  God doesn’t demand that you, “try your best” or “give it your best shot” at obedience to the Lord God, but reminded them, “You shall be holy, because I, the Lord your God, am holy” (Lev 19:2).  This Ark of the Covenant was also where the Lord God would graciously reveal his glorious presence.  What impresses you about this scene?

Because no sinner could stand in the presence of God’s holiness, no ordinary person could go into the Holy of Holies and live.  Only the High Priest could enter this place and only once a year.  Even then he had to dress in special clothes.  The white turban (pure like God); gold band (that had “Holy To The Lord” etched into it); a blue robe (the color of heaven); special trousers (so no gust of wind would leave him ashamed); an apron (woven from 4 colored threads (gold-for God, blue-for heaven, purple-for royalty, scarlet-for blood); a cloth square with 12 gems (one of each tribe of Israel on his heart); and two stones on his shoulder (each with 6 names of 12 tribes) as he walked into God’s presence.

You have the picture.  Only one person could do it—walk into God’s presence. But, there was something else there that you couldn’t see. It was Satan standing right next to the High Priest whispering, “You’re not good enough.  You’re not pure enough to stand in God’s presence.”  And he would be right.  Except the High Priest walked into the Holy of Holies with one more thing.  Look what the High Priest is carrying into the Holy of Holies.  He is carrying a bowl of blood.  This blood came from the animal that was sacrificed for the sins of the people.  For God had said, “⁶ As his penalty for the sin of which he is guilty, he shall bring to the Lord a female from the flock (a sheep or a goat) as a sin offering, so that the priest may make atonement for him for his sin” (Lev 5:6).  This was the moment of truth.  This was the blood sacrificed on the Great Day of Atonement.  This blood was the substitute for the life of the people that God demanded. The High Priest’s faith received what God has to offer—this blood was the payment for sins foreshadowing the great payment Jesus would make for all.  God commanded that Only One Person Could Do It.  Now the High Priest could Approach God’s Throne With Confidence.  This blood represented the sacrifice made for God’s people to have their sins removed and their relationship with God restored.

But, you students of the Bible also know the sad part of this picture.  While many of the High Priests worshiped in spirit and in truth, others were only going through the motions.  Think of Caiaphas, the high priest during Jesus’ trial.  He missed the whole point of being the High Priest of God.  He failed to see that all the Old Testament sacrifices pointed to Jesus who was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world.  All too often these High Priests are the ones referred to in Hebrews, “¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.” Satan succeeded all too often in tempting the High Priest to think too much of themselves in power, superiority and distain for God’s people. God said only one person could approach his throne.  So how can we?

It would be impossible to approach God’s throne with the sins of your life.  You know, that naughty thing you did last week that only you, God and Satan know about.  Or that filthy word that came out of your heart (not your mouth) that revealed what your sinful inside is really all about to Satan (because already knows).  Or that angry thought you had of revenge instead of doing good and praying for your enemy like Jesus asked you to do.  Satan is so aware of all your sins it is easy for him to accuse you.  I don’t think you have a special suit in your closet that you wear to come into God’s house, do you?  You know, something that will cover all your guilt and shame for all your sins?  Nope!  There are not enough animals for you to sacrifice to cover all your sin.  Only One Person Can Do It.  Actually, there is

Only One Who Did Do It

We all have goals in life.  You have lots of them.  I hope you’ve given some thought, at least every once in a while about the goal of having a good relationship with God.  Or maybe you think about that relationship like you do the relationship you have with your spouse—you know—once you have a spouse you don’t pay any attention to them anymore.  So, if you have as one of your goals to have a healthy, thriving, exciting relationship with God I hope you’ve come to realize and believe that you aren’t the one who can do it.  No, the gracious and amazing thing about the Bible’s Good News is that God doesn’t allow the answer to the question (How is my relationship with God established?) to hang around unanswered.  This is what God says. “¹⁴ Therefore, since we have a great high priest, who has gone through the heavens, namely, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.”  We Approach God’s Throne in Confidence because God sent Jesus to make us worthy.  Jesus is the Only One Who Did Do What We Could Never Do.  Jesus lived the perfect life and died the perfect death, rose and ascended into heaven to enjoy his perfect relationship in the essence of the Trinity NOT to show us how to do it.  But, because Jesus Did What We Could Never Do!  Jesus paid the perfect price for all our sins, crushed the power of the devil and opened up the gate of heaven and our perfect relationship with God the Father.  And there’s more!  He Did It All and Gave It All To Us as his gracious gift.  Listen: “¹⁶ So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Did you hear?  “Let us!”  That is spoken to people who have a restored relationship with the Father.  So let’s go!

Why?  Why is the truth that Jesus has done what needed to be done practical for me today?  You know, tomorrow when I’m at work with a pile of work and it’s so frustrating trying to keep up?  When I have a pile of assignments and the crabby supervisor keeps looking over my shoulder?  When I catch my next cold and feel like my head is going to explode?  When war is going on and the threat of harm is hanging over fellow Christians?  Then let’s go “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Let’s go with prayer for our Father loves to hear us pray, has commanded us to pray, and has promised to answer our prayers.   And as you say your prayers through the Only One Who Did Do Everything For your restored relationship with the Father, remember these words, “¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.”  Every sin you have ever faced, Jesus has faced and never sinned—for you. And if you needed any more incentive to enjoy your forgiven, restored relationship with God it’s right there: “so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  God’s not looking for anything from you—no bowls of blood.  He loves to give you mercy!  He’s not looking for you to earn his love, he gives you grace.  So, approach God’s With Full Confidence Because Jesus has accomplished your greatest goal—Jesus Has Crushed Sin, Death and Satan for you.  Jesus has restored your relationship with the Father in heaven.  Amen!