Come Boldly Unto the Throne of Grace

Paul's letter to the Hebrews is a powerful testimony of the  Savior and His supernal gift to save mankind. This week’s Come, Follow Me lesson on the first half of the book gives this invitation to help us focus on what Paul taught us about the Savior: “As you read the first five chapters of Hebrews, you might keep a list of Jesus Christ’s titles, roles, attributes, and works you find mentioned. What do these things teach you about the Savior?”  Here is my attempt to summarize what Paul taught us about Jesus Christ in these chapters. 

Titles and Roles

Paul referred to the Savior as the Son, the Son of God, the firstbegotten, God, Lord, Jesus, Christ, the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus, Jesus the Son of God, the living God, the captain of their salvation, an high priest after the order of Melchisedec, a merciful and faithful high priest, and the author of eternal salvation   The fact that Paul referred to Jesus by so many different names and roles in only a handful of chapters shows how focused he was on declaring the name of Christ to these Hebrew brethren.  Christ was God made man who took upon Him the role of the ancient high priest to bring salvation to all the children of men.    

Attributes

Paul helped the Hebrews to see the divinity and perfection and goodness of Christ.  He wrote that Jesus was the “express image of his person,” referring to the Father, and thus is “better than the angels.”  Paul wrote that Christ was made “perfect through suffering” and emphasized again that He was “made perfect” and thus able to bring us to salvation.  He has power to help us in our challenges, for He “is able to succour them that are tempted.”  He is “touched with the feelings of our infirmities” so He can and will come to our aid.  Christ also “has loved righteousness, and hated iniquity” and thus is perfectly good.  Paul wrote that He is also unchangeable in nature: “They shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.”  Paul’s message was that we can trust in the power and goodness of the Son of God to save us.    

Works

In these chapters Paul also emphasized the divine works of the Savior.  Before this life even began He was all-powerful, for He “laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thing hands.”  In mortality the Savior was “in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” and He “learned obedience by the things which he suffered.”  He lived a mortal life like us and yet never sinned, thus enabled Him to pay for ours.  He “purged our sins” and He has “put all things in subjection under his feet.”  Christ made “reconciliation for the sins of the people” and did “deliver them who through fear of death were all subject to bondage.”  He did “taste death for every man,” giving His life as the great sacrifice for mankind, becoming both the high priest and the offering of the high priest. 

Paul’s testimony to the Hebrews of the divinity and power of Jesus as our Savior was meant to build their faith in Him.  Knowing of His perfection and love, we can all indeed “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”