303. HEB 4:16. THE THRONE OF GRACE

Heb_4:16. The Throne Of Grace

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."’97Heb_4:16.

The apostle had been treating on the priesthood of Christ, and had been referring to his greatness, his exalted station, and his sympathy towards his people; then he introduces the text, and from these considerations, he urges the duty of "coming boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy," &c.

Let us notice,

I. The Magnificent Object to which our Attention is Directed.

"The throne of grace."

A throne is the seat of royalty. This is the seat of the true and only Potentate, &c. It was obviously typified by the ancient Mercy-seat, which was the covering of the ark of the covenant; at each end of which was a cherub, and between them the Shekinah, or symbol of the divine glory. To this, the great highpriest approached, once a-year, with the blood of the annual sacrifice, as a propitiatory sacrifice to Deity. Now God through the sacrifice of his Son is propitiated on behalf of a guilty world, and is seated on a throne of grace, or favor towards us, and to this throne our text invites us to come. God through the merit of his Son, and the shedding of his precious blood, now waits to impart unto men through that medium, all the blessings which that sacrifice has obtained for us. And Deity can be approached only through the one Mediator between himself and us, the Man Christ Jesus.

Notice,

II. The Manner of Approach specified.

"Let us come boldly," &c.

It does not mean with ignorant presumption’97irreverently’97self-confidently, &c. But it signifies,

1. With liberty of access.

Need not approach with dread, &c. We come by divine authority and permission. It is not intrusion, &c.

2. With freedom of speech.

Need not be overawed by the greatness of the Being we address. Jesus is upon the throne with the Father, and he is out Brother, &c. See ver. 15. We may freely and fully state our case, and make known our need. We may ask freely, &c.

3. With assurance of success.

Need not fear a repulse. Expect a gracious reception. Full assurance of faith.

4. With frequency of application.

Original Mercy-seat could only be approached annually. Earthly monarchs can only be approached at set periods. To this we may come daily, yea, it is approachable every moment.

5. We must come just as we are.

No ceremony is required. No peculiar costume. No fitness, &c. But approach, as needy, helpless sinners, &c. Now we may thus come boldly, because,

(1) This is the way expressly laid down. Hence we have God’s warrant, yea, his command.

(2) Because all ancient saints came in this way. Jacob’97Moses’97Elijah’97Woman of Canaan, &c. &c.

(3) God’s great goodness and graciousness should induce us thus to come; and,

(4) The intercession of Christ for us, and the Spirit within us, should encourage us thus to draw near.

Then observe,

III. The great Ends to be kept in View in coming to the Throne of Grace.

1. That we may obtain mercy.

(1) Mercy to pardon our guilt. "If we say that we have no sin," &c.

(2) Sparing mercy. If God should mark iniquity, &c. "O spare me," &c.

(3) Daily mercy. At all times need mercy’97living’97dying. And at the last day, "The Lord grant that we may find mercy," &c.

2. To find grace to help in time of need Grace includes all the blessings of the divine favor’97All we need for body, soul time, and eternity. Grace to "help" us,

(1) To pray and serve God.

(2) To labor in his cause.

(3) To suffer for his sake.

(4) And to triumph over our foes Grace to help in "every time of need." Prosperity’97adversity’97sickness’97death’97yea, every instant is a time of need.

Application

1. Learn to what we come in prayer.

2. How we should come. And,

3. What we should seek’97mercy, &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS