Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest, who has gone through the heavens, namely, Jesus the Son of God, let us continue to hold on to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin. So let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for allowing us to come before your throne. Many people suffer from the shame of what they have done. I cannot imagine what life would be like if we were on our own without you to turn to for rest. When we lose our temper with those around us, those things we say weigh on our conscious—we playback what we have done and how we treated others, bringing on the guilt and thoughts that keep coming back, shaping what we say and do now. All these things quickly pile up, and we need relief.
As Peter once asked, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of everlasting life.” You know what temptation is; Satan himself tempted you. He tried to pull you away from your mission—saving us. However, Satan failed! Not only did you live a perfect, sinless life and then deliver forgiveness from all sins to us, but you also lived under the weight of sin and its temptation. In your innocent suffering and death, all the world’s sins, including my sins, you took into yourself on the cross. So we can approach you, bringing our troubles, guilt, shame, and temptations to you. We have the assurance of our forgiveness because you already paid the price for our sins. So now, there is no reason to hang on to any of sin’s baggage; you were not only the High Priest who spoke on our behalf but also the sacrifice for all our sins.
Strengthen our faith through your Spirit so that we never let go of our confession of you and always trust in the forgiveness you won for us. You have given us eternal life through your mercy and grace in exchange for our sins. Please allow us to share this message with someone who does not know you. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
When you think, “no one could possibly know what I am going through!” Jesus does, and he experienced much more than we will ever know. It was all for your forgiveness and salvation.