Let Us Come

 The one thing I feared the most during grade school was being called into the Principal's office. I was never "called in" but I could only imagine what it would be like. Suppose you were the new guy in your office and you got word the CEO wanted to see you in his office. How would you feel? Nervous to say the least.

But the writer of Hebrews posed this scenario, how would you feel if you were to stand before God? In the future (closer than we think) we will all stand before God and give an account of our lives. Romans 14:12 But Hebrews 4:16 says So let us come boldly to the very throne of God... When people think about approaching God they often go to one of two extremes. 1] Fear. How could they approach a holy God? 2] Lack of reverence. They think they can just "waltz" right into His presence without a proper.

The answer lies between the two extremes. To come boldly means to come with confidence with the assurance that God will accept us. Not because of any righteousness we think we might possess but because of who we are in Christ. Remember God is our Father 1 John 3:1 and children do not fear to climb into their Father's lap.

A great illustration is a picture of President John K. Kennedy in the oval office. Most people would feel nervous to enter the office of the President of the United States but not his son, John Jr.

We come with reverence, yes. But we come knowing He will receive us. Hebrews 4:16 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.

Look At Me

 

In my last blog, we looked at the first of the three temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness. Matthew 4:1-11 Today, we look at His second temptation, the pride of life. Pride says things like "I'm important or "I can handle it" or "I don't need any help."

 It is the John Wayne or Rambo syndrome. Self-confidence can be a good thing but there are limits to self-confidence. Even Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) said, "A man got to know his limitations." This is one area we can all do better. Instead of counting on our own strength, we need to count on God's strength. We can try and prove our worth instead of pointing to the one who is truly worthy.

Satan tries to tempt Jesus to throw Himself from the roof of the Temple to prove He is the Messiah. Jesus didn't need to prove anything. Later in Jesus' ministry, the religious leaders told Him to perform a miracle and thus prove He was the Messiah. (Same temptation as Satan but different setting.)

 When tempted with the pride of life let's replace "I can handle it" with I can't handle anything without God. John 15:5 Philippians 4:13 Let's replace "I'm important" with "More of Jesus and less of me." John 3:30

With You

 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Years ago we had a friend's young daughter visit us. I had to take her to the airport and put her on a flight home. I reassured her "I'll be with you all the way to the gate and the flight attendant will be with you after that. Then your father will be with you when you arrive." "With you" happens a lot in this life. But there is always a starting point and a stopping point. "With you" never lasts forever in the human realm.

The word Immanuel in the Old Testament meant "God with us." God wanted to assure His people, Israel, of His continued presence. "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5) Jesus even told His disciples He would be with them "to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20)

You were not alone yesterday; you are not alone today; you will not be alone tomorrow. Jesus is Immanuel - God with you.