Passport Control
Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need Hebrews 4:16
Therefore – The author of Hebrews knows just what we need. We need mercy and help in difficult times. Not a single one of us would refuse such an offer. Maybe that’s why even the least religious person has a tendency to plead for God’s intervention when life gets really terrible. When the crisis is big enough, most people implore God to act. The best part of this verse is that fact that we can approach God with bold confidence. But wait! There’s a small connecting word here, one that we easily overlook. Unfortunately, without it (the Greek is oun), this verse would never be a reality. “Therefore” is the passport control word. It points to the reason why we can come boldly before God. And if oun is not part of your vocabulary, then you will be left at the emigration desk, unable to enter.
Oun is used as the cause and effect link. This word bridges the effect of Hebrews 4:16 with a previous cause. That previous cause is found in Hebrews 4:14-15. Why can we come before the throne? Because Jesus is our high priest. Is that the only reason? No. Jesus is the high priest who understands our weaknesses. How is that possible? Because (and here’s the clincher) Jesus has been tempted exactly as we are tempted but He did not succumb. He knows us from the inside out. He knows every twist and turn in our faltering obedience. He knows every attack and every seduction. But He did not fail. For that reason, we can come before the throne when the need is great. Jesus knows that without God’s help, we are doomed. He knows that we cannot stand on our own. He knows the weakness of human will. Therefore, He invites us to approach God boldly because He has been before that throne too. His success is the passport stamp we need to enter into God’s court unafraid.
Does that mean that anyone in need can enter the court and beg for mercy? Not quite. Anyone in need can come to God in repentance. In fact, God draws us to repent. But until Jesus is our high priest, until His passport stamp is on my life, I don’t have the right of bold entry. The bottom line is this: I cannot expect God to help me or even hear me if I do not serve His Son. In fact, until Jesus is my high priest, I can expect only judgment from the Judge of all mankind. Don’t think that God is waiting to rescue you just because you ask. Don’t imagine He will swoop down and fix things if you negotiate a truce. God listens to the high priest. If the high priest doesn’t know you, you are SOL. Come back some other time. This courtroom is closed.
Hebrews 4:16 is a powerful promise. It re-orders life’s traumas. But it is not for everyone. Without a passport entry stamp, you have no access at all.
