Approaching the Throne of Grace

Chapter 9: Living in Light of the Sanctuary - Approaching the Throne of Grace

Dear friends, as we continue our journey through the profound truths of God's sanctuary, we arrive at a truly comforting and empowering aspect: our direct access to God. The earthly sanctuary, with its veils and specific entry points, taught ancient Israel about the holiness of God and the need for a mediator. But through Jesus Christ, our High Priest, those barriers have been removed. Today, we don't just understand God's dwelling place; we are invited to enter His presence. This lesson will explore the incredible privilege we have to boldly and confidently approach God's throne of grace, receiving help in every time of need.

Our Compassionate High Priest

The very foundation of our access to God lies in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not a distant, unfeeling deity, but one who fully understands our human struggles. The Bible beautifully describes His qualifications as our High Priest:

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.

Hebrews 4:15

Think about that for a moment. Jesus, our High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary, personally experienced the temptations, weaknesses, and sorrows that we face every day. He knows what it's like to be hungry, tired, misunderstood, and even betrayed. Yet, He never succumbed to sin. This makes Him uniquely qualified to represent us before God. Because He understands, He sympathizes with our struggles and weaknesses, not in a way that condones sin, but in a way that offers perfect empathy and a pathway to overcome.

Boldly Approaching the Throne of Grace

Because we have such a compassionate High Priest, we are given an astonishing invitation:

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16

What does it mean to "come boldly"? It doesn't mean arrogance or disrespect. Rather, it means coming with confidence, assurance, and freedom from fear. Before Christ, approaching God was a daunting, even terrifying, prospect, reserved for a select few and hedged about with strict regulations. But now, through Jesus, the way is open for all believers. We don't have to fear judgment when we come, but can anticipate mercy and grace.

This confidence is not based on our own goodness or merit, but entirely on what Christ has done for us. The apostle Paul reinforces this truth, speaking of the access and confidence we have:

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Ephesians 3:12

Our faith in Jesus, His sacrifice, and His ongoing ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is the key that unlocks this direct access. We can come with full assurance, knowing that He has made us acceptable in God's sight. The veil that once separated humanity from God's immediate presence has been torn (Matthew 27:51), signifying that the way to the Most Holy Place, to the very throne of God, is now open through Christ's blood.

Finding Grace for Every Need

The purpose of this bold approach is not just to commune with God, but to "obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). Life is full of challenges, temptations, and moments when we feel overwhelmed. It is precisely in these "times of need" that God invites us to draw near.

Consider these comforting promises:

The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

Psalm 34:17

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 46:1

Whether our need is for strength to overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13), wisdom for a difficult decision (James 1:5), comfort in sorrow (2 Corinthians 1:3-4), or forgiveness for our sins (1 John 1:9), the throne of grace is where we find it. God's grace is His unmerited favor and divine enabling power. It is sufficient for every weakness, every failure, and every challenge we face (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The sanctuary message reminds us that Jesus is actively ministering on our behalf. He is presenting His blood, His merits, and His righteousness to the Father, securing our pardon and empowering our lives. This means that when we pray, we are not approaching an unwilling or indifferent God, but a loving Father who delights in answering His children, mediated by a High Priest who understands every aspect of our plea.

Living in This Light

Understanding our access to the throne of grace should profoundly impact our daily lives. It means we don't have to carry our burdens alone. It means prayer is not a last resort, but our first and most powerful response to life's circumstances. It means we can live without anxiety, casting all our cares upon Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:22

This invitation to draw near is a call to constant communion, to a life lived in the conscious presence of our loving Father, mediated by our compassionate Savior. It is the ultimate expression of the sanctuary truth—that God desires to dwell with us and for us to dwell with Him.

Conclusion

The sanctuary message culminates in this glorious truth: through Jesus Christ, our High Priest, we have direct, confident, and immediate access to the very throne of God. We can approach this "throne of grace" not with fear, but with boldness, knowing that we will "obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." What an incredible privilege! Let us never take this gift for granted, but instead, let us daily avail ourselves of this divine invitation, drawing closer to the One who loves us and longs to help us in every aspect of our lives.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does knowing that Jesus was "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15) strengthen your confidence in approaching God?
2. What does "coming boldly" to the throne of grace mean to you personally, and how does it differ from a disrespectful approach?
3. Can you recall a specific "time of need" when you experienced God's mercy or grace in response to your prayers? How did that experience impact your faith?
4. How can understanding our direct access to God through Christ transform your daily prayer life and your sense of security?