Each Thursday we will take a few minutes to examine three thoughts (or bullets) from the book of Hebrews. We encourage you to read the text, and consider the bullet points. Then join us in a simple prayer.
“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For 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. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Jesus the great high-priest
Here in Hebrews 4:14-16, the author begins his consideration of Christ’s high priesthood, a vitally important theological motif that extends with vigor all the way to Hebrews 10:25. The author goes on to argue many ways in which Christ is superior to the high-priests who served Israel throughout the Old Testament:
Because he has been tempted he can sympathize with us (4:15)
But, unlike the earthly priests, he is entirely without sin (5:1-3; 7:26-28)
He has been appointed by oath from God and this assures his priesthood his eternal (5:4-10; 6:17-20; 7:15-22)
His atonement offering has been made in the context of a new and better covenant (8:7-13
It was presented in the heavenly tabernacle rather than the earthly holy of holies and used superior blood (8:2; 9:1-28)
And finally, it only had to be made once for all time (10:1-18)
In the old covenant the position of high priest was preeminent; he oversaw the ritual worship of God and functioned as the main representative between the nation and Yahweh.
Although the high priest shared a number of duties with the other priests, he alone entered the Most Holy Place on the annual Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:1–25).
The parallel between the cleansing ritual of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16 and the salvation of the Hebrew Christians through the cleansing of their sins in Jesus would have been crystal clear.
Clearly, Jesus' high priesthood is essential for the author of Hebrews. He wants his audience to understand the significance of what it means that Christ is their great high priest. It is because Jesus is our high priest they can hold fast in their confession and draw near to the throne of grace.
Hold fast our confession
The verb krateo, rendered “let us hold firmly,” (NIV) or “let us hold fast,” (ESV) is used forty-seven times in the New Testament.
11). In Hebrews 4:14, however, the word refers to commitment—a use found, for example, in Mark 7:3–4, where the Pharisees are said to “observe” the traditions of the fathers. Similarly, Christians are challenged to “hold to the teachings” they have been given (2 Thess. 2:15), while the heretic in Colossians 2:19 has “lost connection with” (more correctly, “does not hold to”) the Head.
The author of Hebrews, therefore, is calling the recipients of this sermon to remain committed to Jesus, holding to their public confession of him as the Son of God. Endurance in this commitment finds its basis in the follower’s relationship to Christ as a heavenly high priest.
Finally, we can hold fast to our confession because we have a high priest who is able to sympathize with us in our weakness.
Guthrie points out that weakness in the context of Hebrews 4 is specifically referring to mankind’s propensity to sin. He did not, himself sin, but he did share in our experience of being tempted, “therefore, the word “sympathize” does not necessitate a sharing of another’s exact experience, but, as in 10:34—where the hearers are said to have sympathized with prisoners (though not being prisoners themselves)—the word connotes being “compassionate to the point of helping.” Our high priest does not stand aloof but cares for us in our human state of weakness.
Draw near to the throne of grace
Jesus' compassionate disposition invites us to intimacy with God and makes that intimacy possible.
Under the old covenant the only person allowed into God’s presence was the high priest, who entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement. Under that covenant the high-priestly offering on that day won forgiveness for the people. Yet they were still locked out of the presence of Yahweh.
But under Jesus’ high priesthood, the people of God find a new and happy situation. They themselves may enter the very presence of God on a continual basis, and can do so with “confidence”—a word that can also be translated as “bold frankness,” which in both Hellenistic Judaism and early Christian usage is related especially to the believer’s approach to God in prayer.
Christians, therefore, should draw near to God with unabashed openness since God alone is the true source of mercy and grace. Because of these provisions we can expect God will “help us in our time of need.” Literally this phrase reads that mercy and grace result in “timely aid.” The author may have in mind the trial of persecution being faced by the community, a trial that was tempting them to reject God’s mercy in Christ.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I am so thankful that I can come to you now. Thankful that I can lay myself bare before you and speak with you directly.
Despite my weakness and propensity to sin you are there and you care for me. You are compassionate to the point of helping me.
You are so good.
Lord, may the compassion I see from you soften my heart and turn me towards you. May it cause me to rejoice in my assurance of your salvation and result in a deeper desire to serve you with my whole heart.
By your Holy Spirit, I ask that you will strengthen me so that I may join with those saints who have gone before me in holding fast to my confession of faith in you.
In every trial I face, may you be glorified and exalted in my life.
Amen.