Jesus the Great High Priest
4 14So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16So let 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.
Heb 4:14-16
The author of Hebrews has told us already to think carefully about This Jesus. This Jesus is God’s Messenger, like the prophets, even Moses. But He is greater than Moses. He is the Son (Heb 1:1,2), the One in charge of God’s entire house; we are God’s spiritual house He is building and therefore Jesus is the Great High Priest of that house. Now the author goes back to comments he has made before in order to pick up the thread of this thought and develop the connection of Jesus to the Great High Priest.
Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
Hebrews 2:17-18
And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest . . . But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.
Hebrews 3:1, 6
Now the author is going to develop his main theme of Christ being our Great High Priest which has been in his mind to expand from the beginning. As I have shown you, this theme will continue from this point until Hebrew 10:18. The writer has been building up to expanding this theme. Notice how he starts this section with:
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
Hebrews 4:14
The author of Hebrews is just continuing on with his seed thought that he has planted before. If indeed Jesus is not the High Priest but the Great High Priest, then it all revolves around Him. He greater than that all these I gave you in Gem 2027.
- The prophets
- The angels
- The priests / Melchizedek / The High Priest
- The covenant
- The sacrifices
- The mighty ones of faith
- The ancient righteous ones
- The patriarchs
- The judges
- The best king
- In fact all others.
Now he will expand on the fact that Jesus is so much greater than the High Priest in the temple in Jerusalem. This Great High Priest Jesus has entered heaven and is seated at the Father’s right hand. Let us hold on firmly to our confession of our faith in Jesus being greater than all else in the household of God. This Great High Priest understands our weakness because He has faced all the same testings as us and not sinned. You have a High Priest greater than the one in Jerusalem because He came from Heaven, took on human form, even in a man’s body and has experienced the same testings of life we humans experience. So you can come boldly to Him. He has experienced human weakness [asthenia]. All the frailties and weakness we feel as human beings He understands. He came in our likeness [ὁμοιότης] (homoiotēs). He understands you greater than you can possibly imagine. If you think you have it bad, think again. Jesus experienced far worse. When you come to this Great High Priest, He offers you MERCY and GRACE when you need it most. At your lowest point you can possibly imagine, this Great High Priest understands you and offers mercy and grace.
Why wouldn’t you come boldly to such a High Priest? These are the author’s opening words for this main theme he is going to develop for us over chapter 5 to 10. I can’t wait to fully understand what he has to say. These three opening lines are so encouraging and reassuring. What more is to come?
Think of the person you most admire and want to meet in the world. If they suggested you meet them tomorrow at 6.00 am, would you be there?
LeRoy Eims
I thought of Rod Laver, the winner of two calendar year grand slams. Would I be there? You bet I would. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.
Ian
“Imagine that person wanted you to meet with them every day at 6.00 am. Would you be there?” You bet I would.
LeRoy Eims
Can you imagine being the son or daughter of the highest ruler in the land? Everyone in the land longs to meet them but you have intimate, personal access every day of your life!
Ian
You do have that opportunity with the Creator of the Universe, the Great High Priest, Jesus Christ. Come boldly. He understands you and offers mercy and grace when you need it most.
Ian