What does it mean to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16)?

Answer

The writer of Hebrews aims to convey the superiority of Jesus to readers and encourages them to closely follow Him. In Hebrews 4:16, it is explained that we can confidently approach the throne of grace: “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Therefore, following Jesus involves confidence, not timidity. The writer elaborates on this by highlighting that, through Jesus, we have a High Priest.

Jesus is depicted as a merciful and faithful high priest in Hebrews 2:17, having made propitiation for sin (satisfying God’s wrath due to sin). In the Mosaic Law, the high priest would intercede for the people and symbolically lead the priestly administration (Numbers 25, 28). The priest would offer sacrifices to God on behalf of the Israelites, following the law’s instructions. While the high priest typically presented the sacrifice, Jesus Himself became the sacrifice. His personal sacrifice demonstrated immense mercy, made possible because He identified with those He was sacrificing for «Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. », (Hebrews 2:17). Through Jesus as the High Priest, we can boldly approach 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.», (Hebrews 4:16). In other parts of the epistle, Jesus is referred to as the “High Priest of our confession” «Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the ApoStyle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; », (Hebrews 3:1). Jesus is a reliable high priest, as God the Father considered Him faithful «who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. », (Hebrews 3:2). If the Father regards Him as faithful, then we can as well.

In the Mosaic Law, that which was sacrificed died, and so new sacrifices were necessary to (temporarily) cover sin. But Jesus as a high priest brought a different kind of sacrifice. Jesus sacrificed Himself, and He was resurrected and ascended into heaven «Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. », (Hebrews 4:14)—another proof that He is faithful and had the ability to achieve salvation for all who would believe in Him. Because of Him, we can come boldly to 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.», (Hebrews 4:16). He is a high priest who sympathizes with our weakness (He knows our weaknesses because He became like us when He became a man)—He even has been tempted in all things as we have, yet He remained sinless «For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. », (Hebrews 4:15).

Because Jesus was a man, He could be our substitution—He could stand in our place to pay the price for sin: death. None of us can finish paying the price becaUse our debt is so great, and we have nothing left with which to pay it. He could pay the price in our place as a man. Because Jesus was God, He had no sin of His own, and He could arise from the grave, showing that He conquered sin and death. His one-time sacrifice was enough “for then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26). Because of Him, we can now come boldly to 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.” (Hebrews 4:16)—not on our own merits, bringing our own sacrifice—but on His merit and His sacrifice. Now that He has made it possible for us to come to God, we come to Him by faith—for “without faith, it is impossible to please God” “But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6). Because of what Jesus has done for us, we can come boldly and with confidence to the throne of grace—it is no longer a throne of judgment for us; rather, it is where we have received forgiveness in mercy and righteousness in grace.

Jesus, our High Priest, intercedes on our behalf even today “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34). Not only can we come boldly to the throne of grace for forgiveness and salvation “Let us therefore come boldly unto”

the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.», (Hebrews 4:16), but we can also come to that same throne in prayer knowing that we are no longer enemies of God but beloved children who can call Him “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6;Romans 8:15).