4:16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
We have a high priest who has been touched by our weaknesses … therefore let us come. This is a radical departure from the understanding of the Old Covenant. Under the Old Covenant, the function of the priest was to stand between man and God. Back at Mt Sinai, when God was giving the nation of Israel His commandments through Moses, the people were afraid to come near to God. They said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will hear. But don’t let God speak to us, or we might die.” (Exodus 20:19). From that time forward, the priests approached God in the people’s place, thus maintaining a distance between God and the people.
Christ, however, does not come to bring a separation between God and man, but to bring reconciliation. Rather than standing between man and the Father, He stands at the Father’s right hand and bids us come.
Not only that, but He bids us come boldly: not cowering in fear or guilt; not pleading or begging for the things we want; but as ones who stand in Christ, and in Him have been given full right of access.
… the throne of grace …
For sinners, it is the throne of judgment. Outside of Christ, only a fool would even contemplate coming boldly into the presence of God. But for us, the Cross has changed all that. Christ bore the judgment we deserved, and God extends His favor toward us. Grace is not about God turning a blind eye to sin, but rather that He applies Christ’s righteousness to us. Because of Christ’s righteousness, He offers us cleansing, forgiveness, restoration, healing. Because of Christ’s righteousness He sends the Holy Spirit to live in our spirits, enabling us to live as Christ lived.
… that we may receive mercy …
Every one of us needs God’s mercy, not just when we first come to Christ, but every day of our lives. How terrible it would be if God’s mercy were a “one-off” proposition: receive it once, then you’re on your own. None of us would survive. Praise God that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
… and may find grace for help in time of need.
Whatever needs we may have, whether spiritual or material, God’s grace reaches out to us with help. Whether we come for our own needs or those of someone else, God is there, willing to point us to the answers. We just need to come to Him with confidence, knowing that He has invited us to come and that He has given us authority to ask whatever we will.
We do, however, need to understand that there is a difference between coming boldly, as God invites us, and coming arrogantly. I have heard people pray and demand (actually using the words, “I demand”) that God do this or that. That is not Biblical boldness, but fleshly arrogance. God is always willing to help us, but it is as a Father helping His children, or as a Master helping His servants – not as a servant to be ordered about.