Links

Home

Reading:-   Hebrews 4 v14-16

There is an old Chinese curse which says “May you live in interesting times!” Certainly the times in which we live are far too 'interesting'! Politically, socially, culturally and ecologically there are those who continually warn of disaster ahead. However, in all these things there seems to be no agreement on a way forward and there is a lack of real leadership in both church and state. The rise in stress and mental health problems, especially in young people is due, in part, to this uncertainty about the future. What then are we, as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, to do? The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews, remembering all those who have gone before us through this life has an answer! We should be “looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith . . . . .” (Hebrews 12 v. 2). In this letter to stumbling believer is pointed again and again to the Lord Jesus! the one who, “ . . . because he himself had suffered and been tempted, is able to help those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2 v. 18)

This thought is expanded in our reading for this week:- Hebrews 4, verses 14 – 16.
14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Our Lord Jesus has trodden where we tread. Been tempted as we are tempted, suffered as we suffer (only worse than anything that we can imagine!) lived under an army of occupation, 'slept rough' gone hungry, felt worn out by events; and through all this was completely free from sin.

The writer exhorts us to 'hang in there', holding fast to what we believe! (v.14) How, we ask? How can I as a fallible human being manage to 'hold on' when the world is falling apart round me?

The answer is in verse 16. We can draw near to the throne of grace. The 'Most Holy Place', where our risen ascended glorified Saviour sits at the right hand of God the Father, continually praying to the Most High ,for us His People.

An old chorus comes to mind:-

All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the Mercy Seat, leave it there.
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.

Links to previous weeks

Ash Wednesday

Lent 1

Lent 3

Lent 4

Lent 5

Lent 6

Lent studies 2019