“The Great High Priest.”
Hebrews 4:14-16
As we journey through these chapters of Hebrews, the author points out all of the issues of rejecting the Love of Christ and accepting it by walking in Faith. Most of these arguments are meant to show the negative aspects of this unbelief. Now He switches in these last two verses to show something incredible. Now we talk about he benefits of knowing and walking in faith with Jesus.
- Believer’s have a Great Hight Priest.
Hebrews 4:14, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”
Therefore – Because of all of the realities of not believing in Christ. Wearing the hypocrisy, look at this great benefit.
We have a Great High Priest – The Jewish people were used to a Priest. A priest was appointed by God to go between men and God. In fact day after day they would go and sacrifice to the Priest in order to be absolved of their sins before God. Never ending. It was a way of life. They understood it.
Once a year (Day of Atonement) – Yom Kippur. ONLY the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies to offer the Highest Sacrifice under the Old Covenant. Leviticus 16
The priest would enter the Holy of Holies, offer a sacrifice for Himself and all of the people. All of the sins of the People were symbolically brought to the Mercy Seat where blood was sprinkled on the altar to atone for all sins.
The Priest got in and got out of the Holy of Holies, he didn’t stay long or delay. He didn’t sit down.
BUT OUR HIGHT PRIEST JESUS CHRIST –
Hebrews 1:3, “And He is the radiance of His Glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
John 17:4-5, “I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do, Now, father, glorify me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with you before the world was.”
Hebrews 9:12, “and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
Passed through the heavens –
2 Corinthians 12:2-4, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago – whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows – such a man was caught up to the third heaven. And I know how such a man – whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows – was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a man is not permitted to speak.”
2. A High priest who can sympathize with you.
Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
Weaknesses – Doesn’t just mean our weaknesses in sin, although it does mean that, but also means just the fragility of life. All the things that make us weak.
Think about this –
Jesus wept for Lazarus.
Was betrayed by Judas.
Was betrayed by Peter.
Was made fun of by James.
Was constantly harassed by the religious leaders.
Was tempted by Satan.
Sympathize – to be in sympathy or agreement of feeling. To share in feeling. To feel compassion. To agree.
Tempted – The act of tempting, enticement or allure meant. Seduced.
Galatians 3:1, “You foolish Galatians, Who has bewitched you, before whose very eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified?”
Temptation isn’t the sin. The acting upon the temptation is the sin.
SO HOW DO WE BATTLE THROUGH TEMPTATION?
- Saturate your heart with Truth.
If you are going to battle temptation, you have to know what is true.
Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against you.”
2. Look for a way out.
2 Timothy 2:22, “Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.”
1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
3. Be realistic about how strong you are not!
2 Corinthians 12:9, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”
4. Find yourself a wingman.
James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”
5. Come to the source of Grace.
Hebrews 4:16, “Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of Grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”