Chapter 60—Heaven’s Highest Attraction
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may
obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:16
.
After pointing to Christ, the compassionate intercessor who is “touched
with the feeling of our infirmities,” the apostle says: “Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace....” The throne of grace represents the
kingdom of grace; for the existence of a throne implies the existence of a
kingdom.
God’s appointments and grants in our behalf are without limit. The throne
of grace is itself the highest attraction because occupied by One who permits
us to call Him Father. But God did not deem the principle of salvation
complete while invested only with His own love. By His appointment He has
placed at His altar an Advocate clothed with our nature. As our Intercessor,
His office work is to introduce us to God as His sons and daughters. Christ
intercedes in behalf of those who have received Him. To them He gives
power, by virtue of His own merits, to become members of the royal family,
children of the heavenly King. And the Father demonstrates His infinite love
for Christ, who paid our ransom with His blood, by receiving and welcoming
Christ’s friends as His friends. He is satisfied with the atonement made. He
is glorified by the incarnation, the life, death, and mediation of His Son.
No sooner does the child of God approach the mercy seat than he becomes
the client of the great Advocate. At his first utterance of penitence and appeal
for pardon Christ espouses his case and makes it His own, presenting the
supplication before the Father as His own request.
As Christ intercedes in our behalf, the Father lays open all the treasures
of His grace for our appropriation, to be enjoyed and to be communicated
to others. “Ask in my name,” Christ says; “I do not say that I will pray the
Father for you; for the Father Himself loveth you, because you have loved
Me. Make use of My name. This will give your prayers efficiency, and the
Father will give you the riches of His grace; wherefore, ‘ask and ye shall
receive, that your joy may be full’ (
John 16:24
).”
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