In this episode James explores the passage tells us that Jesus Christ has "passed through the heavens"—in other words, He has been exalted as God's Son. The next verses describe His work among us when He became Man. We read that we do not have a high priest who is "unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." This means that we do not have a Savior who, being God's Son, can't understand what it means to be tempted as we humans constantly are. Christ fully shared human testing and temptation. But because He did not succumb, He is strong enough to save us, while still understanding our weakness. As God's Son, He has opened the way to the Kingdom. Therefore we can "approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
So He gives us an immense gift and privilege. We can approach God's "throne"—His very presence—with boldness, and not be struck dead for our presumption. We can receive grace, mercy, and help.
With such gifts and assurances, who wouldn't want to be a Christian? But Mark 8:34-9:1 reminds us that it is no easy task. Jesus calls the crowd as well as the disciples to hear His words, so we know they are meant for everyone: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me."
