The Approachableness Of Jesus

June 3, 2006

The Approachableness of Jesus

PORTION OF SCRIPTURE READ BEFORE SERMON—Hebrews 4:14-16 and 5.1-14 (GNB)

14 Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God—Jesus, the Son of God.

15 Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.

16 Let us have confidence, then, and approach God’s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.

1 Every high priest is chosen from his fellow-men and appointed to serve God on their behalf, to offer sacrifices and offerings for sins.

2 Since he himself is weak in many ways, he is able to be gentle with those who are ignorant and make mistakes.

3 And because he is himself weak, he must offer sacrifices not only for the sins of the people but also for his own sins.

4 No one chooses for himself the honour of being a high priest. It is only by God’s call that a man is made a high priest—just as Aaron was.

5 In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the honour of being a high priest. Instead, God said to him: “You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”

6 He also said in another place, “You will be a priest for ever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.”

7 In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him.

8 But even though he was God’s Son, he learnt through his sufferings to be obedient.

9 When he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him,

10 and God declared him to be high priest, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

11 There is much we have to say about this matter, but it is hard to explain to you, because you are so slow to understand.

12 There has been enough time for you to be teachers—yet you still need someone to teach you the first lessons of God’s message. Instead of eating solid food, you still have to drink milk.

13 Anyone who has to drink milk is still a child, without any experience in the matter of right and wrong.

14 Solid food, on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil.

Introduction:

Luke 15:1 states, "Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him."

Some of the worst people and the most hated people formed a ring of listeners around Christ.

I gather from that that he was a very approachable person, that he had good manners, and that He was willing to talk to anyone.

That’s what I want to talk about this evening; the approachableness of Christ.

The kings we’re told about in the Bible lived in seclusion, and they surrounded themselves with politicians, officials and solders.

It was very difficult for even their most loyal subjects to approach them.

Do you remember the story of Esther, who, despite the fact that the king was her husband, took her life in her hands when she went before the king, Ahasuerus, to plead for her people, the Jews, because there was a law that said that no one should come to the king unless they were invited.

To break that law meant death.

That’s not the way it is with the King of kings.

His court is more magnificent and He is more worthy of worship; but you may come to him any time, night or day, and no one can prevent you from coming.

There aren’t any soldiers around his palace gate.

The door to his house of mercy is wide open.

The sign over His palace gate states, "For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

You can compare our Lord's kind manners with those of kings and presidents, but you can’t find anyone equal to him in approachableness and compassion.

This morning, I want to talk about this wonderful quality of our Lord.

First, let’s prove it; secondly, illustrate it; and, thirdly, put it into effect.

First, let’s PROVE THE APPROACHABLENESS OF CHRIST, although it really doesn’t need proof, for it is a fact which can be seen in his life.

You may see it clearly in His offices.

Those offices are too many for us to consider at this time.