7 Wonderful Thoughts

30 April, 2026

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us take hold of our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things like we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
-Hebrews 4:14-16

1.      This is glorious, deep theology. But all of it (our “confession”) is centered on the person, work, and message of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 3:1).

2.      The ascension matters. The fact that Jesus “passed through the heavens” is as much a source of hope as the cross and the empty tomb.

3.      We do not need a pope, a priest, or access to sacred ground to approach the God of the universe. Jesus is our high priest, allowing us to draw near to the Lord’s throne with confidence.

4.      Jesus was exposed to every kind of sin while on the earth. Without a fallen nature, He was able to resist perfectly. He did not lust, was not given to anxiety, and never thought a hypocritical thought. We can’t comprehend that, but it is true.

5.      Because Jesus conquered sin in His life He can minister to us with great specificity through His Spirit when we encounter sin (Hebrews 2:18).

6.      Because Jesus conquered sin through His death - and because He lives today - He can minister to us with sufficiency through His Spirit when we encounter sin.

7.      Mercy and grace aren’t only for the moment of our salvation or when we are doing well: they are given liberally to help us in our time of need.

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The import of the whole is, that we are to call upon God without fear, since we know that he is propitious to us, and that this may be done is owing to the benefit conferred on us by Christ…; for when Christ receives us under his protection and patronage, he covers with his goodness the majesty of God, which would otherwise be terrible to us, so that nothing appears there but grace and paternal favour.
-John Calvin