Jesus is Our Hotline!
Notes
Transcript
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Don’t hang up on Jesus!
He has the strongest connection to Almighty GOD (That’s his daddy)
He has the strongest connection to us
He understands what we’re feeling
He’s been through what we go through
Don’t be afraid to open up with Jesus!
He has the right grace and mercy for our needs
In 1962, the pentagon received word that Russia had missiles set up on the island of Cuba which were capable of launching nuclear warheads on the US. This was known as the Cuba Missile Crisis, and was about to become a nuclear war between US and Russia. The pentagon and JFK were trying to communicate to the Kremlin to resolve this crisis, but they had huge delays. So they established new technology, which the Pentagon and Kremlin could communicate within minutes versus hours. This became known as a hotline between US and Russia, where they could communicate directly 24/7 in emergencies, to help reduce the risk of accidental or miscalculated war. Since then, and even prior to then, a variety of hotlines have been established to provide help for people in trouble. My aim for this message is to firmly assure our minds that Jesus is our divine hotline for whatever troubles we’re facing.
Don’t hang up on Jesus!
These Jewish Christians were going through very tough times, dealing with all kinds of threats, dangers, mistreatment, grief, and death because of their confession of belief in Jesus. Because of these severe trials, many were beginning to have second thoughts about the message of salvation and hope which they heard through and about Jesus.
He has the strongest connection to Almighty GOD (That’s his daddy)
Furthermore, they began feeling like there must be something wrong with connecting to that same Almighty GOD of old through Jesus. It seemed like Moses and Aaron had greater success. Aaron who was the first high priest, and functioned as a mediator between GOD and Israel, appeared to be a better connection. But the Hebrew writer strongly affirms that Jesus’ connection is beyond Aaron’s and any other high priest, because not just his resurrection, but his ascendance through heaven! Since that’s the case, hold on to your confession!
Application: The first encouragement here is don’t hang up on Jesus! Because he has a direct and stronger connection to the Father. That’s his daddy! I’m in Christ, I’ve confessed his name, but it seems like I deal with more problems and frustrations trying to do this thing the Jesus way. Not only more problems, but they tend to last for a while. i.e. We don’t like being placed on hold for a long time, especially in a dire circumstance; and if the service is low, and the music gets choppy; and we confuse whose end had a bad connection. We have a great tendency to do what? Hang up the phone. But with Jesus, he is better than sprint, verizon, and the rest. He has securest connection to GOD and he is always on the line!! You might have to hold for a minute, but he’s still on the line!! Therefore, don’t hang up on him!!
He has the strongest connection to us
But that’s not the only reason the Hebrew writer gives to stay on, it is also because Jesus has the strongest connection to us.
He understands what we’re feeling
The Hebrew writer assures this in saying what connection he and these Christians don’t have with Jesus. That being one where he doesn’t share and understand their feelings in their struggles of weakness.
Application: Often, people charge people with not understanding the impacts of certain trials on their lives. And in a lot of cases, it is true. But when it comes to Jesus, he understands. He also feels it with you!! He feels our depression, grief, anger and frustration, confusion, when we feel completely incapable of moving forward.
He’s been through what we go through
But beyond understanding, the Hebrew writer also assures this by reminding them that Jesus has been tested as a human just as they are. But he qualifies Jesus’ experience by the fact that he did not sin in his trials.
Application: This should assure us that Jesus understands and feels what we’re feeling. Why? Because he has been through what we go through!! Not to suggest that he went through every variety of circumstance, but every emotional impact a trial can have, he has been through it. And the fact that he has been through what I’m going through and didn’t allow sin to take over, I ain’t hanging up on Jesus!!!
Don’t be afraid to open up with Jesus!
Now that the Hebrew writer has confirmed the strength of Jesus’ connection to heaven and these Christian saints who are in trouble, he gives the second encouragement. That is, get closer to the throne, which is the seat of a ruler, and this throne or ruler is full of goodwill, benevolence or kindness. But then he says come boldly or being honest and straightforward.
Application: Many people in crisis or who have been mistreated, are afraid to fully open up about their situation and feelings. Afraid of backlash, embarrassment, and retribution. But that’s not our GOD or our high priest. Be open with GOD. Not the tradition of speech we want to sound right in front of everybody. But real talk with GOD!! I’m broken, down, depressed, afraid of covid, sad and struggling, and worrying.
He has the right grace and mercy for our needs
Application: When we fully open up to GOD, through Jesus, we can expect to get some help.