Tuesday, March 25

Confident Prayer

Tuesday, March 25

Hebrews 4:16

The writer of Hebrews was most likely a Jewish priest who came to faith in Christ before the destruction of the new temple which Herod the Great had constructed in Jerusalem. This conversion should not really surprise us, even though there were serious threats upon Jews who converted to Christianity, especially priests, under the watchful eyes of the Pharisees and Sadducees, who had orchestrated the crucifixion of Jesus. The priests knew the prophecies better than anyone, and Luke writes that “… a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.” (Acts 6:7b)

This was because the Word of truth was cutting through the fear of the intimidating ruling priests, into the soul of the humble priests, who were witnesses of the corrupt ruling house of Annas, the former deposed High Priest. Truth finds a way.

Whoever the priest was who wrote the New Testament book of Hebrews, he wrote about confidence in prayer, in a section of Hebrews that addresses Jesus as both the real and “great High Priest,” as well as being the fulness of the Sabbath. Jesus is our “Rest.”

“Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  (Heb. 4:16)

The verses before this say that Jesus “Passed through the heavens.” This phrase had a connection to the Yom Kippur, “The Day of Atonement.” On this day in the fall, the High Priest would enter through the curtain into the Holy of Holies. It was a symbol of going into heaven. When Jesus died, that curtain was torn open, literally. (Mark 16:38)  The priests knew of this tearing at the very moment of Jesus’ death.

The writer of Hebrews wants us to know that heaven is open to our prayers. Jesus, “the Door,” (John 10:9) has given us access by His atoning death. We have no shame in God’s eyes because Christ has removed it.

And when we pray in the Name of Christ, we also discover that we meet the very One Who gave us that access. We meet Him Who perfectly understands the failures of our spiritual struggles.  He “sympathizes with our weaknesses” is the verse before verse 16.

We find that we, too, who fail so much, often are soft-hearted when we meet someone else who has similarly struggled – and often failed – in the same area as us. This is why support groups of fellow strugglers are so successful.  Jesus has been there. Jesus worked very hard to give you access, and He wants you to rest in Him Who is the Sabbath. Boldly go in that sacred space – confident in the Name of Jesus! And you will meet Mercy, Himself. He is waiting.