Our Gift Before the Throne of God
Hallelujah what a Savior! He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! The glories of Resurrection Sunday still echo in a heart never weary of savoring the victory won at Calvary. Our gift before the Throne of God, Jesus Christ purchased our pardon, freeing us from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
Today, one day after we celebrate the empty tomb, linger with me, marvelling at not only our salvation, but the amazing gift Jesus offers us before the Throne of God.
Welcome to Mindfulness Monday! Where we learn some easy ways to be more present “in the moment” at our jobs, in our homes, with our families and friends. Learning to recognize God and what He has for us in each divine moment He offers. We acknowledge the belief that God is with us always. We confess His presence is available to us, lifting our spirit and helping us with power and grace. Learning to “be still”, so we can hear His voice and view ourselves, others and our surroundings through His eyes.
secure before the throne of god
Christ accomplished the finished work of our redemption in His death upon the Cross of Calvary, but His work continues. Only the beginning, His death secured reconcilation with the Father, our inheritance as God’s children and an eternal home in heaven.
Reflecting on the treasures hidden in Holy Week, the words to an old hymn filled my heart: “Before the Throne of God Above”, written by Charitie Lees Bancroft in 1863. A rather obscure hymn, remaining relatively unknown even after publication in Spurgeon’s “Our Own Hymn Book” in 1884.
Some 100 years later in 1970, the hymn found its way into modern hymnals. But not until Vikki Cook of Sovereign Grace Worship wrote a new melody for it in 1997, did its true worth emerge.
advocate before the throne
In the first stanza, consider the beauty of Christ as our Great High Priest fully identifying with all our needs, advocating for us before God the Father. Jesus, as High Priest carried your name upon His heart into the Holy of holies, cleansed and redeemed.
Seeing then that 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, and perfect plea;
a great High Priest, whose name is Love,
who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
my name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
no tongue can bid me thence depart,
no tongue can bid me thence depart.
no condemnation before the throne
Once for all, Jesus Christ condemned sin in the flesh, fulfilling the righteousness of the law. You stand free and forgiven before God the Father, your pardon purchased by a sinless Savior. Reflect on the power of stanza two’s truth to defeat despair.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh
When Satan tempts me to despair
and tells me of the guilt within,
upward I look, and see him there
who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died,
my sinful soul is counted free;
for God the Just is satisfied
to look on him and pardon me,
to look on him and pardon me.
perfect propitiation before the throne
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The third stanza reminds us, Jesus the perfect and final Passover Lamb of God, purchased our soul for all eternity. In a mystery too wonderful for our finite minds, even now our lives are hidden with Christ in heavenly places. (Ephesians 2:6) One with Him, you shall live and reign with Him always.
Behold him there! the risen Lamb,
my perfect, spotless righteousness;
the great unchangeable “I AM,”
the King of glory and of grace!
One with himself, I cannot die,
my soul is purchased by his blood;
my life is hid with Christ on high,
with Christ my Savior and my God,
with Christ my Savior and my God.
Our Gift before the throne of God
Savoring the beauty of this hymn brings me back to Charitie Lees Bancroft’s original title for her piece: “The Advocate”. In a powerful demonstration of divine, hesed lovingkindness, Father God gave His only Son, a ransom of redemption for the people He eternally loves.
Jesus Christ willingly offered Himself as Kinsman Redeemer, securing the Godhead’s precious possession in one transaction; ultimately remaining The Advocate, presenting us holy and blameless, Before the Throne of God Above.
Today, as you reflect upon the pure treasure of your salvation, remember also the gift of Christ’s eternal advocacy for you, Before the Throne of God Above.
If you enjoyed reading this post, there’s more! Sign up for my weekly newsletters; a little slice of serenity delivered right to your inbox! As my “Thank-you” you will receive my FREE “Attitude of Rest Guide” for signing up!
