The Lodestar

The throne represents power and authority and elicits respect and fear. The destiny of the nation and the subjects depends on the power of the person who occupies it.

Entering the throne room without permission risked one’s life. Anyone who entered the throne of the Persian king uninvited could be executed: “All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—to be put to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden sceptre so that he may live” (Esther 4:11).

No one can confidently enter such throne rooms because their destiny depends on the king’s mood.

But there is another throne. Though it has supreme authority and power, it is also a throne of grace. Those who come near it do not have to fear; it does not issue death warrants but offers abundant life. That is the throne of Christ the King.

We may approach this throne with confidence because we are assured that it offers mercy and help. No fear at all.

This is true of Christ as High Priest. The writer of the Book of Hebrews affirms that Christ, as the High Priest, is not annoyed but sympathises with us. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb 4:15).

This assurance is the foundation of our faith. Christ the King and the High Priest empathise with us. Even when we are at the lowest threshold of God’s expectations of a life that pleases him, he kindly and gently bids us to move up. Let us not give up when we fail to please him but run to the throne room to plead for grace and mercy; he will always favour us.