Slices
Prepare
Actions have consequences. Usually we don’t know what significance our actions might have. Identify something you’ve said or done recently that has had consequences (good or bad).
Bible passage
Jesus the great high priest
14 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. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. 16 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.
5 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. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 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.’
6 And he says in another place,
‘You are a priest for ever,
in the order of Melchizedek.’
7 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. 8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
Explore
The writer identifies two actions with profoundly eternal consequences. First, our great high priest has gone through the heavens and, as we know, has sat down at the Father’s side (v 14). That means that we (which includes this writer) can be 100 per cent confident that all we know about Jesus is true. He really has made us acceptable to God.
Secondly, this high priest, called by God (as all priests), has experienced the weakness and limitations of being fully human (v 15). However, Jesus has remained fully obedient to God, unlike every other priest, including Aaron (v 4) who played a prominent part in leading the Israelites astray in the wilderness (Exodus 32). The consequence of this is that, although we know we are sinners, we don’t need to fear we’re not good enough for God. God the Son understands the temptations that beset our humanity. He remains our eternal role model. Yet, there is no need to tiptoe timidly into God’s presence. His merciful grace is available to every one of us in our fallen state (v 16).
Respond
Which of your human weaknesses particularly troubles you? How hard is it to accept that Jesus sympathises with you and that God’s merciful forgiveness is simply waiting to be received? Boldly open up a conversation with God.
Deeper Bible study
Come to the throne of grace with confidence today and receive mercy and grace to meet your need.
Having twice referred to Jesus as a high priest,1 now the writer establishes this both from Scripture and from the readers’ understanding of priesthood. He begins by reminding them of three things: a high priest needs to be one of the people, beset with similar weaknesses; a high priest is appointed to represent the people in things related to God, offering gifts and sacrifices for his sins; and a high priest is not self-appointed, but is appointed by God.
Then he turns to Jesus. Jesus was appointed by God when God, who spoke Psalm 2:7 to him, also spoke Psalm 110:4 to him: ‘You are a priest for ever, in the order of Melchizedek’. Jesus offered prayers to God, who was able to save him from death (in chapters 8–10 he will explain Jesus’ offering for sins); and Jesus was one of us, learning (the cost of) obedience from his sufferings. He concludes that when God heard the cries of Jesus and saved him from death (in the resurrection), Jesus became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Hebrews 4:14–16 introduces Hebrews 5–10 and explains some implications from understanding Jesus as our great high priest. Because he shares our human nature and was tempted in every way as we are – and more, since he did not sin – he can sympathise with our weakness. This gives us encouragement to approach God’s throne of grace in prayer and receive mercy and grace in our time of need, especially when we are tempted to loosen our hold on our faith. God’s presence is freely open to us at any time. Our confidence to approach God comes from having a great high priest who understands our weakness and appears in the presence of God on our behalf.
We approach God in prayer not only for ourselves, but also for others. Spend some time praying for those you know who need God’s mercy and grace today.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Job 33,34; Luke 24
Pray for Scripture Union
Livewires, a holiday that gives young people the opportunity to explore the worlds of computer programming, sound engineering, film, graphics and electronics while developing their faith takes place this week. Pray for Roger Pickard and Joel Fergusson as they lead the holiday, and for the team as they share their passion for Jesus and technology.
