I hope your Christmas Day was filled with the love of family and friends. Acknowledging the birth of our Savior is just the beginning of what our heavenly Father has in store for us.
The shepherds went to a manger but we are invited to the throne room.
In my reading this morning, I came across two references to the throne and those verses brought one more to mind. Let me share them with you.
Esther was queen to the King of Susa. Because of the influence of one of his evil advisors the king had allowed an edict which authorized the murder of all Jews in Susa. Esther was a Jew; her relative Mordecai told her of the edict and that she must do something to save her people. This was Esther’s response to Mordecai:
“Then Esther told Hathach to say this to Mordecai: 11 “Mordecai, all the king’s leaders and all the people of the king’s provinces know this: The king has one law for any man or woman who goes to the king without being called. That person must be put to death unless the king holds out his gold scepter to them. If the king does this, that person’s life will be saved. And I have not been called to go see the king for 30 days…After we fast, I will go to the king. I know it is against the law to go to the king if he didn’t call me, but I will do it anyway. If I die, I die.” Esther 4:10,11, 16 ERV
Esther did go before the king, he held out is scepter and she was able to save her people. It’s a great short story. (You should read the book of Esther.)
The next reference comes from my reading in Psalm 123.
“Lord, I look up and pray to you. You sit as King in heaven. 2 A slave looks to his master to provide what he needs, and a servant girl depends on the woman she serves. So we depend on the Lord our God, waiting for him to have mercy on us.” Psalm 123:1-2 ERV
The Israelites recognized God as their ultimate King. They came to Him in their time of need, waiting on Him to provide.
These two references tie in with one of my favorite passages in Hebrews. Jesus provides us with an open invitation to come boldly into God’s throne room. We don’t have to be timid or apprehensive about coming to God. We don’t have to be afraid that He won’t “hold out his scepter”.
“Jesus, our high priest, is able to understand our weaknesses. When Jesus lived on earth, he was tempted in every way. He was tempted in the same ways we are tempted, but he never sinned. 16 With Jesus as our high priest, we can feel free to come before God’s throne where there is grace. There we receive mercy and kindness to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16 ERV
Our relationship with Jesus brings us directly into the presence of God. We are welcome there. We can come freely, without hesitation, and find grace, mercy and kindness to help.
Because of Jesus we have an open invitation!