[All scripture references are from the New Living Translation]
In a previous post, I compared Jesus’ saving grace to a sturdy bridge that carries us from eternal peril into everlasting safety, provided we trust Him enough to step onto it. It’s a metaphor that resonates with me, because it’s not just a simple picture, but a deeply significant biblical one. Jesus is not merely the One who points us toward God; He is the One who brings us to God. He carries us into His presence.
This bridge-builder idea has long been associated with the Latin title “pontifex”, traditionally understood as a “bridge builder.” In the Roman world, the “Pontifex Maximus” was the chief priest — that’s also where we get our words “pontiff” and “pontificate”. While the Greek word for high priest — Archiereus (ἀρχιερεύς) — is not the same as its word for bridge, and would not have the same connotation for early church manuscripts, I still think the image remains beautiful. A priest standing as a bridge between God and His people, and Jesus is the perfect and final Priest who has made the way for us to come near to God across the chasm that would otherwise separate us..
The central message of Hebrews is clear: “…we have a great High Priest” (Hebrews 4:14). Aaron and the Old Testament high priests were appointed by God for a sacred work. On the Day of Atonement, the high priest had to enter behind the veil with sacrificial blood, sprinkling that blood on the Mercy Seat seeking atonement for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:14-16). Yet that ministry had to be repeated, over and over. The sacrifices were continual because they could not finally remove sin.
Jesus is greater. He is not simply another priest in a long succession. He is “Jesus the Son of God,” our great High Priest, who “has entered heaven” itself (Hebrews 4:14). He is fully human, able to understand our weakness, and fully God, able to save us completely. Hebrews tells us that He understands every weakness we face, yet “he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). This is a great comfort. We don’t come to a distant religious official, nor to someone who merely knows our troubles in theory. We come to the living Christ, who has walked in human flesh and now reigns at the Father’s right hand.
Jesus has gone before us into the presence of God. After making purification for sins, He “sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven” (Hebrews 1:3). His work of atonement is finished; His ministry of intercession continues. Because He lives forever, He can save all who come to God through Him (Hebrews 7:25).
This is why the throne of God is, for the believer, a throne of grace. Under the old covenant, only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and then only once each year. But when Jesus died, the curtain separating people from God was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:50-51). The way has been opened. Through Christ, we are invited right into God’s presence.
Hebrews gives this invitation in words that should encourage every anxious heart: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God” (Hebrews 4:16). Notice that we don’t come because we have earned a hearing. We come because Jesus has made us welcome. We don’t approach covered in our own righteousness, good intentions, or emotional strength. We come clothed in the righteousness of Jesus and trusting Him.
At that throne, we receive mercy. When sin has left us ashamed, when guilt has made us want to hide, when we feel unworthy even to pray, our first move should be toward Jesus, not away from Him. Mercy means that God does not give us the judgment we deserve. Grace means that He gives us the help we do not deserve. Hebrews promises that there we “will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16).
That grace is not some vague religious encouragement. It is God’s ultimate strength at work in our lives. It is help for temptation, courage for weakness, endurance in suffering, wisdom in confusion, and peace in fear. The Lord’s timing is perfect. He gives grace when we need it most. It’s not always according to our preferred schedule, but it is always according to His wise and loving care.
So let us draw near with confidence. We don’t need to psych ourselves up, manufacture spiritual feelings, or wait until we feel worthy. Jesus Himself is our confidence. He said, “No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). He is our bridge, our access, our High Priest, and our welcome into the Father’s presence.
Like a child running to a loving father, we can come without fear. Fix your eyes on Jesus. Make yourself available to Him. Trust that the One who sympathizes with your weakness also supplies grace for it. Our great High Priest is not only waiting at the throne of grace—He has opened the way, built the bridge and invited us to come.
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
Appendix: Scripture Citations
- Leviticus 16:14-16
- Matthew 27:50-51
- John 14:6
- Hebrews 1:3
- Hebrews 4:14-16
- Hebrews 7:25