Our Great High Priest

As a little girl growing up in the Catholic church, I observed with wonder the ceremony when the priest prepared the sacraments, then lifted the chalice above the arms of his embroidered robe towards the heavens. The rhythm of this routine brought comfort and awe at the same time. During those moments, my young heart began to realize the meaning of the word holy.

A decade later, my teenage heart beat wildly in my chest, urging me to come forward amidst the sounds of praise music, beckoning me to come closer to God, the One who seemed so holy and far away. That day I knelt before a different altar, not in ceremony but in surrender.

The early years of sensing the holiness of God prepared me to kneel in wonder of the reality that I could draw near to God Himself. In this passage, we see how God made way for us to draw near to Him in confidence. 

Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. ––Hebrews 4:16

It is difficult to wrap our heads around the truth that the God of the universe wants us to draw near. With confidence. To receive mercy. And grace.

Grace means to receive something undeserved. That undeserved gift is that Jesus Christ is the source of eternal salvation. 

Jesus is the source, who walked with humanity on earth. He was holy, yet approachable (Hebrews 4:15).

He endured every temptation (Matthew 4:1–11). He suffered for us (Hebrews 5:8). He sympathizes with our every weakness (Hebrews 4:15). 

The wonder of wonders is not only did He save us; He desires to draw near to us. The holy one that endured every suffering and pain because of His love for us longs for us to draw close. To approach Him. The God of the universe. He invites us not only to draw near, but to hold fast to our confession that He saved us. 

The word krateo in Greek means holding fast, not letting go. The way we would grab on to the hand of a loved one, a grasp that is steadfast and unyielding to any thought of letting go. A grasp that holds on even tighter when difficulties urge us to release. A grasp that keeps us knuckle to knuckle in the grip of His love.