Can you imagine having a concern about something, and being able to walk right into the Oval Office, and meet with the President directly? Any time you wanted, for whatever reason you wanted. I would imagine that would be something pretty special. Yet, as Christians, we have something even more incredible. We have direct access to God the Father, any time for any reason. How is this possible? It is possible because of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, He spent several hours giving some final instructions to the disciples. He also spent some time encouraging them, because He knew they were filled with sorrow at His announcement that He would be leaving them soon. Even though they didn’t fully understand at the time what Jesus was talking about, they knew that they didn’t want Him to go. Part of His final teachings to them was how their relationship with Him and with God the Father were going to change. As a result of His death and resurrection, Jesus told them “in that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God” (John 16:26-27).
In that verse, Jesus tells His disciples how their relationship is going to change. Up to this point, Jesus has prayed on their behalf. They haven’t prayed in Jesus’ name, because they have been with Him. However, Jesus tells them that they are going to have a direct line to God the Father after He leaves. It is because of His crucifixion and resurrection that we can be forgiven of our sins, but also that we can have access to God any time, any place. It is the faith given to them by God that makes it possible for them to believe in Jesus, and have this incredible privilege of speaking with God the Father. I want us to grasp the magnitude of what Jesus is saying. Because of what He is going to do on their behalf, and what He did on our behalf; we can come and communicate with the One who created everything and who holds it all together. We can communicate with the One who knows the end from the beginning. We don’t have to go to a person and ask them to pray to God on our behalf. If we are children of God, then we can pray and talk with God ourselves. This is the symbolism of the veil being torn top to bottom when Jesus died. When we come to God, we are not coming to Him based on our merits. Rather, we are coming before God based on the righteousness of Christ that has been given to us by Jesus. Jesus’ right standing with God the Father, gives us a right standing with God the Father. Therefore, let’s learn what the writer of Hebrews said in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” What is on your heart right now? What are you worrying over? What has you stressed out? Take it to the Lord in prayer. He’s there, He’s listening, and He will answer.
By His grace and for His glory,
Pastor Justin