The central message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is both profound and deeply practical: we have a great High Priest. The writer declares, “So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe” (Hebrews 4:14, NLT). This truth is not merely theological, but is the foundation for a life of confidence, holiness, and continual access to God.
In the Old Testament, the high priest held a sacred role. Once a year, on the Day of Atonement, he entered behind the veil into the Most Holy Place to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat (Leviticus 16). This act symbolized atonement for the sins of the people. Yet that priest was still only human. He was still limited, sinful, and temporary. He could never be called “great.”
In contrast, Jesus Christ is not merely a high priest; He is the great High Priest. He is uniquely qualified because He is both fully God and fully man. Hebrews reminds us that He is “Jesus, the Son of God,” uniting divine authority with human experience. Unlike the priests of old, Jesus has “entered heaven” itself (Hebrews 9:24, NLT), not an earthly copy. He is enthroned at the right hand of the Father, and the place where He reigns is called the “throne of grace.”
This changes everything for us as believers.
The veil is no longer a barrier. Access to God is no longer restricted to one man, one day a year. Instead, every believer is invited, actually commanded, to come directly into God’s presence. Hebrews 4:16 says, “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (NLT).
Notice the invitation: come boldly. This is not a timid approach, nor one weighed down by fear of rejection. It is a confident drawing near, grounded not in our worthiness, but in Christ’s righteousness.
This matters most when we feel least deserving.
Where do we turn when we are overwhelmed by sin, guilt, or a sense of failure? Our instinct is often to withdraw—to hide from God rather than run to Him. Yet Hebrews calls us in the opposite direction. We are to draw near precisely because we are in need. At the throne of grace, we do not receive what we deserve; we receive mercy. God does not meet us with condemnation, but with pardon, love, and acceptance.
Mercy addresses our past. Grace empowers our present.
Grace is more than unmerited favor; it is the active power of God at work within us. It strengthens us in our inner life, enabling us to resist temptation and walk in holiness. As Paul writes, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9, NLT). This grace is not distant or delayed, and it is always timely. It meets us exactly at the point of our need.
This access is not only for moments of crisis. We are not merely invited to come when we are desperate; we are called to live near the throne. “Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him” (Hebrews 10:22, NLT). This is the posture of a life shaped by holiness, a continual turning toward God, a steady reliance on His presence.
The boldness we are given is not self-generated. We don’t need to stir up our emotions or manufacture synthetic confidence. Our assurance comes from Christ Himself. Hebrews tells us that “we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19, NLT). His completed work is our confidence.
This boldness is, in many ways, childlike. It reflects the freedom of a child running to a loving father—without hesitation, without fear of rejection. This is the relationship Christ has secured for us. Through Him, we are not outsiders but members of God’s household.
As we fix our eyes on Jesus, this confidence becomes natural. He is not only the One who grants access, He is our access. By His Spirit, He works within us, drawing us near, strengthening our faith, and shaping our hearts toward holiness. The more we know Him, the more freely we come.
So the call is simple, yet profound: draw near!
Don’t come with fear, but with boldness. Don’t come because you are worthy, but because He is. Don’t come only in times of weakness, but in every moment. At the throne of grace, there is always mercy for our failures and grace for our growth.
And in that place—near our great High Priest—we will find not only help, but transformation.
Blessings on you and yours, Jim Black
P.S. if you’d like to read previous ruminations of mine they can be found at https://blog.salvationarmyconcordca.org