Tues., 4/29/14 Devotion (Heb. 4:15-16)

Today's encouragement comes from Hebrews 4:15 & 16, where we read these amazing words:

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weak-nesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us there-fore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Jesus Christ is the only Human Being who can fully sympathize with us, fully understand us, and fully meet our needs. Every other human being in the his-tory of the world was/is tainted with original (and actual) sin. We might think that only a sinner could commiserate with us--but this is not true. In fact, only a God-Man can adequately do this.

Because of Jesus' unique and singular qualifications, let us, as the text says, "Come boldly to the throne of grace." If we go to anyone or anything else for our justification, it is the grossest slighting of Christ's work, for sinners; and we may be sure that His righteous wrath will be kindled against it.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Show your love to Christ in your vigorous resist-ance and opposition of Christ's enemies." --Thomas Vincent, in, "The True Christian's Love to the Unseen Christ"]