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During the Great Migration—from 1910 to 1970—six million African Americans left the South. They left to escape harsh treatment and gain better job opportunities elsewhere. But even those reasons pale when compared to the benefits we gain when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. The writer of Hebrews chapter 4 talks about this when he speaks of God’s offer of a special rest to all who accept His Son. By accepting Him, our search for peace with God ends because He forgives all our sins. Our search for significance ends because He fills us with Himself. Our search for love ends because no one can love us like God. Our capacity to treat others with love and dignity becomes possible because God sends His Holy Spirit to empower us from within. As we submit to Him, He enables us to do the will of God. All this is possible because Jesus Christ has entered into the holy presence of God as our High Priest. As our High Priest, who first offered Himself to atone for our sins, He now gives us access and acceptance in God’s holy presence. That is why the writer of Hebrews urges us, “Come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
