Come boldly unto the throne of grace...

Last week I studied the book of Hebrews in the New Testament for a class I teach. May I share a few verses that spoke to my soul.

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Heb. 4:15-16

My favorite word in those two sentences is "boldly." We may go before the Lord eagerly and with confidence because we know we will be received intimately with mercy and grace by one who fully understands our need. We should not fear or hesitate. In fact, we should run to him.

My other favorite verse:

"Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death..."

My favorite words in this verse are "strong crying and tears." The Savior was not a semi-removed, emotionally austere God who went through the motions of mortality but floated on the surface of the difficulty. And it is often through "strong crying and tears" that we finally connect with Him and allow him to succor us.

Another point in this verse is that God, His Father could have saved him from death but did not because He loved us. (John 3:16)