It Is Going To Be A Good Day!

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

A friend shared with me that when her and her daughter were in Los Angeles, they saw the L.A. Archdiocese Cardinal. She shared her great excitement with me that not only did they see him but that the Cardinal had actually looked there way and smiled at them. In her excitement she turned to her daughter and said this to her, “It is going to be a good day, the Cardinal noticed us and smiled at us.”

It is wonderful when someone who loves and knows God looks our way and takes the time to encourage us even with just a simple smile. But did you know that the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, has not only looked in our direction, but He has sacrificed His life in order for us to see God’s smile upon us? And here is the part that melts my heart, not only does God smile upon us because of His Son, Jesus Christ; He wants to have an intimate relationship with you and with me! Yes, a sweet, intimate relationship!

“Christ is superior to the priests, and his priesthood is superior to their priesthood. To the Jews, the high priest was the highest religious authority in the land. He alone entered the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation (Leviticus 16). Like the high priest, Jesus mediates between God and us. As humanity’s representative, He intercedes for us before God. As God’s representative, He assures us of God’s forgiveness. Jesus has more authority than the Jewish high priests because He is truly God and truly man. Unlike the high priest who could go before God only once a year, Christ is always at God’s right hand interceding for us. He is always available to hear us when we pray.” Commentary

My dear friends, because of Jesus Christ, God has turned to look in your direction today and He smiles upon you with great love and compassion. The Bible says in Hebrews 4:14, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet He did not sin.”

Today, just as the Bible exhorts, let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need!  

My friend turned to her daughter and said, “It is going to be a good day, the Cardinal noticed us and smiled.” How much more confident and excited should we be today as we remember that the Great High Priest - the King of kings and the Lord of lords – Jesus Christ - has looked in our direction, is smiling upon us and is more than willing to give us His great mercy, His time and His unfailing compassion!

Our High Priest has passed through the heavens to the very presence of God, where He sits at God's right hand!