Hebrews 4:14-16: Jesus, Our Perfect High Priest

"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. 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." Hebrews 4:15-16

In the Old Testament, the priestly system was set up that there might be a human mediator between God and man. Whereas prophets fulfilled the purpose of speaking from God to man, the priest fulfilled the purpose of speaking from man to God. Thus, the priest would offer sacrifices to God on behalf of Israel's sins, thus atoning for their transgressions.

However, the sacrificial system of priests was not ultimate. Although animal sacrifices did cover the sins of the Israelites temporarily, they did not do so fully. Thus, Jesus Christ had to come as the ultimate sacrifice, the true Passover Lamb, in order that the sins of all of God's people might be fully atoned for.

However, Jesus' priestly sacrifice on behalf of all believers is not the only aspect of his priesthood. Because of his great and perfect sacrifice, he has passed through the heavens (Heb. 4:14) in perfect union with the Father. Whereas in the Old Testament one high priest went through the Holy of Holies on one day out of the year (even after he had washed himself and performed many other rituals), Jesus Christ in his sinlessness can walk daily in the heavens because he is without sin.

However, Jesus was not free from the temptation to sin. Rather, he was tempted with sin and succeeded. Whereas every other priest was just a shadow of the Jesus to come, Jesus fulfilled that shadow because he was the only man to ever be free from sin. Thus, the Bible tells us that we have a great high priest who is "able to sympathize with our weaknesses," because he himself endured them with us on earth.

Yet, this fact of Jesus' priesthood is not without application. Because Jesus is this great high priest, it allows us to go to his throneroom (that is, enter into prayer) with "confidence...that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Ultimately, Christ as priest means that we have access to both mercy and grace. Mercy allows us be forgiven of our previous sins based on the atoning sacrifice Jesus; grace allows us to have help in the present and future so that we might not sin again.

Thus, our application today is to ask God for that mercy and grace. Do you feel overwhelmed with your sin? Perhaps that's right where you need to be, in order that you might ask God for his mercy and his grace. For the Lord can sympathize with you, for he knows you pain. He will not cast you off as you ask for his help, but rather draw you near. For the Lord loves to hear the the yearning cries of his children coming to him for grace. Amen.