Since then 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 is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:14-16, ESV)
Throughout history, kings have ruled over territories and the people who dwell within the borders of the kingdom. Some kings were kind and benevolent, but often these monarchs ruled in a cruel and unjust manner. The kings did not typically gain the rights to the throne through hard work or by progressing through the ranks. Instead, rulership was a privilege of being born in the right place at the right time into the right family. The monarchy was their birthright.
No so with Jesus. Paul tells us in Philippians that Jesus…
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
(Philippians 2:6-11, ESV)
The news gets even better! This humble yet glorious king “is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25, ESV). Because of this, we are obligated and honored to give Him “praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength, forever and ever! Amen!” (Revelation 7:12).
Brighter Day... 