The Once-in-a-while Cuppa: Musings moving Forward
Ascension Day 3: Intercessor
Hebrews 4: 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The letter to the Hebrews is a powerful exposition of Jesus Christ as High Priest, offering Himself as a sacrifice on the cross on our behalf. But the story does not end there. Jesus, after his resurrection ascended into heaven in bodily form. We have been discussing what this means for you and for me. Today, we look at one of the most important on-going ministries of Jesus: that of Intercession. The Cambridge English dictionary describes intercession as the “act of using your influence to make someone in authority forgive someone else or save them from punishment.” The letter to the Hebrews eloquently describes how Jesus, after offering himself as the perfect sacrifice, now carries on the ministry of the perfect High Priest who, having ‘passed through the heavens’ (biblical language for the ascension), now intercedes for us.
These verses in Chapter 4 give us two assurances. Firstly, this great High Priest knows our weaknesses. Because Jesus was born into humanity, he tasted the limits and frailty of the human body and spirit. He knew hunger, thirst, betrayal, agony, death – the whole gamut of human experience. He also knew temptation – whatever we have been through, he has been through (v15) with one important difference – he did not sin. Because of that, He remains perfect, and yet, he knows what it is to be human.
One of the things I have come to know is that when we go through a major difficulty, pain or sorrow, we find it hard to believe that anyone can understand “the depth of my pain.” Many may tell us “I understand.” But it would seem to us that nobody quite understands unless they have been in the exact same situation and been through the exact same pain. I have a colleague who is an insulin-dependent diabetic. Sometimes in the office during the day when I look a bit washed out, he would ask, “Are you okay?” All I need to do is say, “I had low sugar in the early morning.” And he would just nod his head and say, “I understand.” And I know he does. Another one asked me, “How, ar?” And I answered, “Low sugar.” And he broke out in a broad smile and said, “Good, what. No more diabetic, mah!” Only an insulin – dependent diabetic would understand the whole gamut of sensations, conditions and feelings that are contained in those two simple words: low sugar. It helps when someone truly understands. It gives us confidence or as the passage puts it, ‘boldness’ to come to the throne of grace.
The second assurance is that when we come in boldness to the throne, we will “obtain mercy and find grace” in our time of need. There is no rejection at the throne. The throne of grace understands our weaknesses. That is why mercy is given. The throne of grace understands our frailty. That is why grace is given. This is an awesome assurance for two reasons: 1) I will receive help whenever I need it, and 2) I will receive help in whichever form I need it in. Make no mistake: it is what I need, not what I want. I may want help in the form of money or a car. It does not mean that is what I get. Instead I may receive strength to go through the troubles or a peace that abides. Not exactly what I asked for, but definitely what I needed.
So, now that I have this intercessor on high, what does it mean for me? Have you ever been in so much trouble or been overcome by such sorrow that you could not pray? Guess what? You have got two members of the Trinity (never mind your pastor and everybody else!) praying for you! You have got inside connections within the Trinity! When you cannot pray, he prays for you. When you are unable to form the words, he prays for you. When you do not want to pray, he prays for you. When you are in sin, he prays for you. When you are in trouble, he prays for you. When you cannot make sense of the world, he prays for you. Isn’t that amazing? All of which would not have happened if Jesus had not ascended into heaven. So, come boldly to the throne of grace. He has saved a spot for you!
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the darkness of death you have raised your Christ
to the right hand of your majesty on high.
The pioneer of our faith, his passion accomplished,
has opened for us the way to heaven
and sends on us the promised Spirit.
May we be ready to follow the Way
and so be brought to the glory of his presence
where songs of triumph for ever sound:
Glory be to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All Glory be to God for ever.
Amen.
Ascension Day 3: Intercessor
Hebrews 4: 14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The letter to the Hebrews is a powerful exposition of Jesus Christ as High Priest, offering Himself as a sacrifice on the cross on our behalf. But the story does not end there. Jesus, after his resurrection ascended into heaven in bodily form. We have been discussing what this means for you and for me. Today, we look at one of the most important on-going ministries of Jesus: that of Intercession. The Cambridge English dictionary describes intercession as the “act of using your influence to make someone in authority forgive someone else or save them from punishment.” The letter to the Hebrews eloquently describes how Jesus, after offering himself as the perfect sacrifice, now carries on the ministry of the perfect High Priest who, having ‘passed through the heavens’ (biblical language for the ascension), now intercedes for us.
These verses in Chapter 4 give us two assurances. Firstly, this great High Priest knows our weaknesses. Because Jesus was born into humanity, he tasted the limits and frailty of the human body and spirit. He knew hunger, thirst, betrayal, agony, death – the whole gamut of human experience. He also knew temptation – whatever we have been through, he has been through (v15) with one important difference – he did not sin. Because of that, He remains perfect, and yet, he knows what it is to be human.
One of the things I have come to know is that when we go through a major difficulty, pain or sorrow, we find it hard to believe that anyone can understand “the depth of my pain.” Many may tell us “I understand.” But it would seem to us that nobody quite understands unless they have been in the exact same situation and been through the exact same pain. I have a colleague who is an insulin-dependent diabetic. Sometimes in the office during the day when I look a bit washed out, he would ask, “Are you okay?” All I need to do is say, “I had low sugar in the early morning.” And he would just nod his head and say, “I understand.” And I know he does. Another one asked me, “How, ar?” And I answered, “Low sugar.” And he broke out in a broad smile and said, “Good, what. No more diabetic, mah!” Only an insulin – dependent diabetic would understand the whole gamut of sensations, conditions and feelings that are contained in those two simple words: low sugar. It helps when someone truly understands. It gives us confidence or as the passage puts it, ‘boldness’ to come to the throne of grace.
The second assurance is that when we come in boldness to the throne, we will “obtain mercy and find grace” in our time of need. There is no rejection at the throne. The throne of grace understands our weaknesses. That is why mercy is given. The throne of grace understands our frailty. That is why grace is given. This is an awesome assurance for two reasons: 1) I will receive help whenever I need it, and 2) I will receive help in whichever form I need it in. Make no mistake: it is what I need, not what I want. I may want help in the form of money or a car. It does not mean that is what I get. Instead I may receive strength to go through the troubles or a peace that abides. Not exactly what I asked for, but definitely what I needed.
So, now that I have this intercessor on high, what does it mean for me? Have you ever been in so much trouble or been overcome by such sorrow that you could not pray? Guess what? You have got two members of the Trinity (never mind your pastor and everybody else!) praying for you! You have got inside connections within the Trinity! When you cannot pray, he prays for you. When you are unable to form the words, he prays for you. When you do not want to pray, he prays for you. When you are in sin, he prays for you. When you are in trouble, he prays for you. When you cannot make sense of the world, he prays for you. Isn’t that amazing? All of which would not have happened if Jesus had not ascended into heaven. So, come boldly to the throne of grace. He has saved a spot for you!
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth,
to you be glory and praise for ever.
From the darkness of death you have raised your Christ
to the right hand of your majesty on high.
The pioneer of our faith, his passion accomplished,
has opened for us the way to heaven
and sends on us the promised Spirit.
May we be ready to follow the Way
and so be brought to the glory of his presence
where songs of triumph for ever sound:
Glory be to God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All Glory be to God for ever.
Amen.
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