Drawing Near: A Glimpse of Grace from Joseph and Jesus

Good morning everyone!

There's a really important passage in the book of Hebrews that speaks so powerfully about how we can approach God. It talks about coming through the mediatorship of the Lord Jesus Christ, to confess our sins and find forgiveness. What struck me today is how the specific wording in Hebrews 10 echoes the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis.

Let's start with the passage in Hebrews. It's in chapter 10, beginning in verse 19:

"Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..." Hebrews 10:19-22

The wording that really stands out to me here is "let us draw near." This is central to the message of Hebrews 10. In fact, it's picked out in the conclusion at the end of the chapter:

But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:39

What a contrast! We're not meant to shrink back in fear of judgment, but in faith, we are to draw near, trusting that God will forgive us.

Joseph's Story: A Parallel of Grace

This idea of "drawing near" brought to mind for me the story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis. Joseph, of course, had been appointed ruler over Egypt, and there are many beautiful similarities between Joseph and Jesus in their promotion to positions of immense authority. Joseph held the power of life or death over his brothers – these very brothers who had sinned against him and even plotted to kill him.

In Genesis chapter 44, it says:

Then Judah came near to him and said: “Oh, my lord, please let your servant speak a word in my lord’s hearing, and do not let your anger burn against your servant; for you are even like Pharaoh.” Genesis 44:18

Judah, here, demonstrates exactly the kind of action that Hebrews encourages: drawing near to obtain forgiveness. He’s confessing, he’s pleading. And what happens next? If we jump into Genesis chapter 45:

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him; and he cried out, “Make everyone go out from me!” So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. Then he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it. And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Genesis 45:1-4

Joseph couldn't hold back his emotions. He was so ready to forgive. He explicitly asks them, "Please come near to me." And they did! They all drew near at his request. He was delighted to see their repentance, delighted to forgive them. It’s such a powerful picture.

Jesus is Delighted to Forgive

I wonder if this isn't a beautiful pattern for what’s going on in Hebrews chapter 10. When we have sinned, how are we to approach the Lord Jesus? In full assurance of faith, knowing that just like Joseph was delighted to see the repentance of his brothers and gladly forgave them, Jesus is equally, if not infinitely more, delighted to see our repentance. God, our Father is delighted to see our repentance and will forgive us.

Let’s take comfort in that truth today and "draw near" with confidence.