Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Hebrews 4:14
The famous preacher, John Elias, says in a sermon that the Lord Jesus Christ went to the Cross carrying three things – our sin, our nature and our names, and that the only thing left there was our sin. This means that he has gone to Heaven carrying our nature and our names!
He ascended as a man and as a man he sits on the right hand of God, reigning and interceding for His people. Today, the Lord Jesus Christ enjoys the glory that was His before the world was created (John 17:5), he has authority over all (Ephesians 1:21) and exercises that authority for his people (Ephesians 1:22). He is the Intercessor – night and day, he never forgets his people. He exercises his power and authority for his church, and that means everyone who has believed in him. “The sea would open, should there be need/The grasp is most secure above.”
Here is total comfort for the people of Jesus Christ. The Lord reigns and it is He who is on the right hand of God, ruling in his world. Due to his finished work on the cross, this Saviour reigns and we must believe and lean on this truth.
However, God doesn’t wish us to just believe this coldly, he wants us to experience it. Note how the author refers to our Lord in Hebrews 4:14 – Jesus – this is the name that refers us to his manhood. This is why he refers to Him as one who suffers with us in our weakness and as one who has been tempted, like us. This is why he also encourages us to get closer to the throne of grace in order to experience the mercy and grace that the Saviour has for the ones who wish to be with him.
Some people, as they get promoted in work and as they climb the social ladder, forget old friends – do you remember the yuppies?!! Not so the Lord Jesus Christ. He carries the name of each one of His people. These names were on his heart as he went to the Cross and the same names are there today. He knows his people by name (John 10:3). Therefore, this is the second great comfort: not only is he reigning, but he does so aware of the needs of his people. He is an Intercessor and Comforter and we see the two roles as one in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
But how do we experience this? The answer is simple, we have the same Jesus today as the one who spent time here on earth. This is the one who held lepers and who spoke compassionately with sinners of all kinds, Pharisees and prostitutes! His invitation is the same today, “Come to me all….”, no one has to keep his or her distance from him, Jesus welcomes sinners. In accepting the invitation to come near to him in prayer, let us believe in his sovereignty and rest on that. Let us also experience his grace and strength as He continuously intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25). The only thing that he no longer carries is our sin, as he dealt with that on the cross (Isaiah 43:25).
Keep safe – in every sense!!
Dewi Tudur, Eglwys Efengylaidd Ardudwy