Haman had convinced the king to place a bounty on the heads of the Jewish people and have them killed on a certain date. Mordecai, who is Esther’s uncle, calls for Esther to go before the king and plead on behalf of her people. Esther’s reply was a reminder that nobody could go before the king without being summoned and then they still could In the Old Testament book of Esther, we read of the great dilemma of the Jews when not enter his presence without him, holding forth his golden scepter to them. As the narrative is presented, Esther bravely goes before the king and the king holds out his scepter. (You’ll have to read the book for the story, but you’ll be glad you did.)
What does that have to do with “The Throne of Grace?” God’s throne is holy; therefore, we have no right even to think about approaching it. It’s much like Isaiah saw in a vision to get the proper perspective of God and us.
Isaiah 6:1–5 (ESV) — 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
This gives us the proper perspective on approaching the Creator of heaven and earth, the One true and living God. Upon that realization, there is a proper view of all of us as sinners before God. Therefore, just as in the case of Esther being scared to go before the king without a summon or the golden scepter which would mean certain death, so it would be for us to go before God.
However, God’s throne is called the THRONE OF GRACE so there is hope and that hope is found in the person who represents us before God’s throne, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
The Lord Jesus Christ is an expression of God’s grace, which means unmerited favor.
John 1:14 (ESV) — 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:16–18 (ESV) — 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
Notice then that He, Jesus, is a high priest, the one who makes atonement for sin. The Lord Jesus Christ makes a unique atonement for sin in offering Himself as the sacrifice for our sins.
Hebrews 10:10–14 (ESV) — 10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest stands daily at his service, offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
No wonder Jesus proclaimed:
John 14:6 (ESV) — 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
The Lord Jesus Christ has atoned for our sin, and they are removed forever, noted as He sat down. The priests work of making offerings for sin was never over so there was not a place for the priest to sit in the Tabernacle or the Temple. Jesus, however, has accomplished salvation and has paved the pathway of grace to the Father.
Hebrews 1:3 (ESV) — 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
He is that golden scepter but even better, it is through Him that we are invited to the throne of grace and God’s grace extends to us through the working of the Holy Spirit, who both draws us, and helps us as we enter God’s throne of grace.
Romans 8:15 (ESV) — 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:26 (ESV) — 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Don’t put it off, take your burdens to the Lord and He will sustain you because you are welcomed at the throne of grace.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL 33764
Check out the PowerBreak podcast wherever you download podcasts or from www.bobbrubaker.com
