So 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.

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ was a more perfect sacrifice in comparison to the sacrifices made under the Mosaic Law. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice was the reality, whereas Mosaic sacrifices were mere shadows of the reality.

Under the Mosaic Law, priests could only enter the earthly Holy of Holies in order to make atonement for sin. Jesus, in contrast, was the great High Priest who entered heaven itself in order to make atonement for sin (Hebrews 4:14).

Further, under the Mosaic Law, blood sacrifices had to be repeated year after year and could never make anyone perfect before God. The sacrifice of Jesus, in contrast, was a once for all sacrifice that could actually make people holy (Hebrews 10).

Given the superiority of Christ’s sacrifice, we may have great confidence in Him and His priestly intercession for us. We may come before God boldly. We have been made holy by Christ’s sacrifice and, as a result, we may approach God without any fear. Although once we were far away from God, we have now been brought near (Ephesians 2:13).

When Christians come boldly to the throne of our gracious God, we will receive His mercy. That is, we will receive His pardon for any sin that still remains in our lives. Since Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins, we may come before God and receive the mercy that is ours by virtue of Christ’s sacrifice.

When Christians come to the throne, they will also receive His grace—His blessing and help for outstanding needs. The grace we receive will help us “when we need it most.” When we come before God, we may boldly ask for help during the trials of life, and we may expect God to help.

If you have felt timid and unworthy when coming before God in prayer, then let today be the day you start to come boldly and expectantly before His throne of grace.

By John Huisman, Friend of Bible League International