We may boldly approach the throne of grace, for it is a throne of grace. Our great High Priest, Christ, is there and provides us with the grace we so desperately need. There lies the source of grace and mercy “to help us in our time of need.” Yet, we must come to this throne to receive grace and mercy.

How was it back in the days of Israel? Once, the Israelite had to approach the dreadful throne of the Almighty God with fear and trembling. Ezekiel saw in a vision “the likeness of a throne… and seated above the likeness of the throne was a likeness with human appearance” (Ezekiel 1:26). – But Ezekiel could not approach this throne in all its grandeur and majesty. He did not step forward because he saw something in this throne that was “like the appearance of fire” (v. 27). Instead of boldly coming before the throne, he fell on his face (v. 28).

For us as believers in the age of grace, it is entirely different: The Son of God sits on the throne, yet it is the Son of God who truly became man. And so He meets us with love and compassion. As soon as we realize that Christ is there for us at the throne of grace, all fear vanishes. Therefore, we come to Him boldly and confidently.

At every moment in our lives, access to the throne of grace is open to us. We need only to come before God in prayer and supplication. Immediately, grace and mercy are available to us. The guarantee of this is the person to whom we turn: the greatness of our Lord on one side, the greatness of His grace on the other.

We rarely find both sides in people. Consider an influential employer who is in a position to help others. But he cannot afford to be generous to others. His concern is so great that the requests would increase, and his kindness would be exploited. So, such a wealthy man will keep his distance from others. And those in need of help will hardly receive it from him.

Then again, we know very kind, helpful, and generous people to whom we can always turn and ask for help. Perhaps they are the kindest people we know. Yet they have no influence and no means to truly help. Isn’t this generally the case with people? Aren’t they always either one or the other?

Not so with our Lord. His power and His grace are united in His person and are available to us at any time, indeed, in a timely manner.