As you know, I talk to my daughters about bulletin article topics. I have come to appreciate and respect the depth of thought that they have about spiritual matters. I was talking to one of them about my article this week. As I write this, she is on study abroad with Freed-Hardeman University and currently in Italy. She saw a painting in an Italian cathedral of the woman with the hemorrhage touching Jesus’s garment, as recorded in Luke 8, and it made her think of how approachable God is to us.
As Christians, we serve a God who is approachable. God is King and Lord over all, yet we can go before the throne of this almighty, all-powerful king through prayer at any time. Throughout history, gaining an audience with a king had to be requested and could sometimes be perilous. In Esther chapter 4, we read that Esther, who is a Jew, wants to go to King Ahasuerus and plead her case against Haman, who wants to destroy the Jews. We also learn that any man or woman who comes to the king and is not summoned is put to death. Esther decides to go and asks the Jews to fast for 3 days, as she will also do, so that she may have success going to the king and not be killed…and Esther was the Queen! How blessed are we that we serve a King who desires that we come into His presence! The ability we have to go before the throne of God is truly awesome.
Jesus, who was God in the flesh (John 1), is not just the one who tore the veil, but also removed the barrier to communication with God as our King. Contrast the woman with the hemorrhage with Esther preparing to go before king Ahasuerus. Going to Jesus and touching His garment would never have been acceptable in the time of the kings. Jesus could have demanded the respect that is inherently due Him, but instead, He humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross to become accessible and approachable to us! There is no danger in your confidence to approach God (Hebrews 4:16). Pray fervently, pray often, and truly appreciate the access you have to the throne of God.
By John Seibel