ODJ: fly to Jesus

February 24, 2016 

READ: Hebrews 4:14–5:11 

Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most (v.16).

George Whitfield, the Anglican preacher who was part of the Great Awakening in the American colonies, once said, “Come away, my dear brethren—fly, fly, fly for your lives to Jesus Christ, fly to a bleeding God, fly to a throne of grace . . . beg of God to give you faith, and to enable you to be close with Jesus Christ.” Long before Whitfield encouraged believers to fly to Jesus, the writer of Hebrews encouraged weary believers to approach Him boldly and confidently as their Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14,16).

Calling Jesus the Great High Priest was significant because His priesthood was superior to all high priests, especially Aaron—the first Jewish high priest. It was superior because no other high priest, not even Aaron, was ever given the title of “great,” no other high priest had a ministry in heaven like Jesus, and no other high priest could be approached by ordinary people. Surely it must have been a surprise to the audience when the writer of Hebrews invited everyone to come to Christ with their weaknesses and temptations. The author wrote, “Let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (v.16).

Jesus was not only a high priest to the early believers, but He’s our high priest as well. How do we access the help we need? We should turn from our rebellion against God and boldly run . . . no, fly to Him. He “understands our weaknesses” and invites us to cast all our cares and temptations upon His broad and strong shoulders (v.15). Jesus, our perfect and Great High Priest, will give us mercy and grace to face all of our challenges (5:9). Fly to Him!

—Marvin Williams

365-day-plan: Deuteronomy 30:1-20

MORE
Read Hebrews 10:19-23 and consider why you can draw near to Jesus and fly to His throne of grace. 
NEXT
What burdens, weaknesses, and temptations should you bring to Jesus today? What area of your life needs His mercy and grace?