Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,
“You are my Son; today I have become your Father.”
And he says in another place,
“You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. ”
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Devotion
The letter now moves into a second great section which deals with the superior High Priesthood of Jesus Christ. The priestly role of Christ has been mentioned but not developed. Now the writer is coming back to this theme and developing it fully. Through His obedience to the Father, Christ has become a High Priest for all people from all ages. A proper understanding of Christ’s priestly role will stimulate us to take advantage of His office and draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. When we realize the sympathy He has for us, and the ability He has to grant us access to the God of strength and help, we are encouraged to hold fast to Him.
The exhortation to “hold firmly to the faith we profess” comes first. By holding “firmly to the faith we profess” is a reference to our confession of trust or faith in Christ. We said we believe, now let’s hold tightly to that verbal confession. These Jews were considering a return to their old system of belief. The repeated exhortation of this letter is, “hold on to Jesus!” Jesus is the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens. He is imminently qualified to represent us in the presence of God.
The exhortation to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” comes second. Jesus is sympathetic with our weaknesses, by virtue of the fact that He was tempted in all things as we are. Therefore, we can, and should, approach His throne of grace with confidence. The reason we “approach with confidence” is apparent: “that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
In chapter five verses 1-10, we have the explanation of Christ’s priesthood. The qualifications of a true priest fall into two categories: Sympathy and Appointment. As has already been demonstrated, Jesus qualifies for sympathy since He experienced the struggle of our humanity. Then the writer declares that Jesus is “appointed to represent” us in matters related to God. Christ has been appointed a High Priest by God. The writer also points out that Christ meets the qualification of “appointment” in an unusual and superior way.
The writer is making the point that we should “hold firmly” to Christ and release our grip on any other “priesthood” by which we might be attempting to approach God. Christ alone is the great High Priest who fully meets the qualifications of God. The former priests, as we shall see later, were merely shadows of the reality of Christ.
Questions to Ponder
Are you holding firmly to the faith you profess? How does it make you feel to know that you have a High Priest who truly sympathizes with your humanity? Are you able to approach the throne of God’s grace with confidence in your time of need? Are you able to find God’s grace and mercy when you need it most? What does the writer of Hebrews mean when he writes, “He (Jesus) became the source for eternal salvation”? Are you trusting in Jesus Christ the High Priest for all people and all ages?
Prayer Points
- Worship the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. Praise Him as our Eternal God, Ancient of Days but also as our tender, compassionate High Priest who understands our weakness and wants us to come to Him for help.
- Thank Him for His provision, His forgivingness and His strength. Sit before His holy throne and share what is on your heart with Him.
- Pray for the Lord to lead you and others today by His Spirit. Ask Him to make You a minister of reconciliation, being compelled by the Love of Christ to share Him with others.
Suggested Prayer
Holy Father,
You are Glorious, Beautiful, Powerful and Holy. Thank You Jesus that through faith, I may approach You with freedom and confidence. You are the High Priest and All Knowing yet so intimate with Me! Infill us by Your Holy Spirit that we may be rooted and grounded in Your great love. Cause us to grasp how wide, long, deep and high is Your love. Let Your love overflow from us and lead us into Your eternal encouragement. I ask this in the Name of Jesus Christ, amen.