Come boldly to the throne
Hebrews on approaching grace
The writer to the Hebrews issues a surprising invitation to people aware of their weakness and failure: 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. The throne is a throne of grace, and we are told to approach it not timidly but with confidence — boldly — precisely in our need.
The instinct after failure is to withdraw from God, to slink away in shame, to feel we have lost the right to approach. The writer says the opposite: come boldly, especially in your need, because the throne is one of grace. The high priest who sits there sympathizes with our weakness, having been tempted in every way. For a leader who has failed, this is the antidote to the shame that keeps him at a distance: the very throne he is afraid to approach is a throne of grace, and he is invited to come boldly to it in exactly his moment of weakness.
“In whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in him.”
— Paul, on bold access — Ephesians 3:12 (WEB)
The throne is a throne of grace, to be approached boldly precisely in need. The shame that makes us withdraw after failure is the very thing the invitation overturns.
“Let's therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace for help in time of need.”
The writer invites the weak and failing to come boldly, not timidly. A leader formed here refuses to let shame keep him at a distance from God. The inner work is approaching grace confidently in his moment of weakness.
After failure, draw near to God boldly rather than withdrawing in shame. Teach those you lead that the throne is one of grace, to be approached in need. Lead from received mercy, not from distance.
Leaders slink away from God in shame after failure, feeling they have lost the right to approach. The blind spot is mistaking the throne of grace for a throne of judgment.
Where shame is keeping you from God, this week come boldly to the throne of grace in that exact need rather than withdrawing.
The instinct after failure is to withdraw from God, to slink away in shame, feeling we have lost the right to approach. The writer says the opposite: come boldly, especially in your need.
After failure, do you withdraw from God in shame, or come boldly to the throne of grace in your need?