David Bahn – Reflections

Hebrews 4:11-16

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. ¹² For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. ¹³ And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

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.

Maybe you know a needy person. He must always have the last word. She always demands to have her way. He cannot sem to look beyond his circumstances. Sometimes those needs are legitimate: the patient in the hospital needs healing; the starving child needs food; the homeless need shelter. These are not mere wants, they are needs.

The greater need we all have is for God’s mercy and grace. Mercy is a kindness of heart in the face of others’ pain and difficulty. Grace is the predisposition toward others’ wellbeing. God has both. When he looks at the person suffering from cancer he does so without disdain. He spends no energy on the reality that we bring so much trouble on ourselves.

Too often we see others’ plight and think, judgmentally, “He brought that on himself; he wouldn’t be homeless if he had managed his life and finances better.” We see the woman begging on the street corner and conclude that she is simply unwilling to get a job. God sees that woman and – knowing the reality of her own culpability – has compassion on her. He looks at us who have false motives, plenty of mistakes and sins, and he desires our good. He invites us to come to the throne of grace and find help. We would push others out of our sight and find reason to ignore them, but God welcomes all who come to him and offers help in our time of need.