Jul 12, 2019 Words of Grace- Through the Cross-Shaped Door
“Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” –Hebrews 4:16
There is a throne of grace where God resides and people come to pray. The doorway into this throne room is shaped like a cross.
As Jesus Christ was hanging on the cross, the sky grew dark for three hours. A spiritual battle was raging as the Son of God was taking our sins upon himself to suffer in our place. As Jesus drew his final breath, the massive curtain that hung over the entrance to the holiest place in the temple was torn from top to bottom. Something eternally significant had just happened.
The book of Hebrews explains that in the torn curtain, we are to see Jesus’ death. His death removed the barrier to God’s presence and opened to us a new and living way (Hebrews 10: 19-22). The barrier he removed is sin. The new and living way he opened to us is forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God, and access into his presence where we find grace and mercy.
Though the curtain is torn in two and the way to God is open before us, there is still a doorway to walk through. It is shaped like a cross. Jesus’ death is the doorway to the living God who makes us new and alive to him.
The accomplishment of Jesus on the cross is the foundation of our praying. Every time we enter the throne room to bow in prayer before the Father of grace and mercy, we do so through the doorway of Jesus Christ. Every prayer is prayed in Jesus’ name, by his merit and authority. He is there with us in the prayer room. His death for us is a constant reminder to the Father to whom we pray that we are forgiven, and in this way he is always pleading and interceding for us.
Think on this grace. When you pray to the Father, remind yourself that you can pray because of the cross of Christ. Picture the cross-shaped door opened before you. See a welcome sign hanging on the doorpost. Hear the call to enter. And then, by faith, go in. Kneel and worship, confess and forsake, ask and receive, and live.
I am praying for you this weekend. I look forward to praying with you Sunday.
-Scott