Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
14 “That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of GOD. Let us cling to Him and never stop trusting Him. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same temptations we do, yet He did not sin. 16 So 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.” ~ Hebrews 4:14-16
Christ is superior to the priests, and His priesthood is superior to their priesthood. To the Jews, the high priest was the highest religious authority in the land. He alone entered the Holy of Holies in the Temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation. – 32 “In future generations the atonement ceremony will be performed by the anointed high priest who serves in place of his ancestor Aaron. He will put on the holy linen garments 33 and make atonement for the Most High Place, the Tabernacle, the alter, the priests, and the entire community.” – Leviticus 16:32-33 – Like the high priest, Jesus mediates between GOD and us. As humanity’s representative, He assures us of GOD’s forgiveness. Jesus has more authority than the Jewish high priest because He is truly GOD and truly man. Unlike the high priest, who could go before GOD only once a year, Christ is always at GOD’s right hand, interceding for us. He is always available to hear us when we pray.
Jesus is like us because He experienced a full range of temptations throughout His life as a human being. We can be comforted knowing that Jesus faced temptation – He can sympathize with us. We can be encouraged knowing that Jesus faced temptation without giving in to sin. He shows us that we do not have to sin when facing the seductive lure of temptation. Jesus is the only perfect human being who has ever lived. He is there to help us in our weaknesses because He understands our fears. We must cling to Him in our weaknesses and never stop trusting Him.
Prayer is our approach to GOD, and we are to come “boldly”. Some Christians approach GOD meekly with their heads hung low, afraid to ask HIM to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly or on the run, giving little thought to what they say. We should come with reverence because HE is our King. But – we should also come with bold assurance because HE is our Friend and Counselor.
We have a High Priest – He is Jesus Christ – GOD’s own Son. Precious lamb of GOD, Messiah, Holy One – we cling to You, we trust in You. We know You understand our weaknesses and our temptations because You faced all of the same ones we do, yet You, Lord Jesus, did not sin. Thank You Father GOD, for our Mediator – Jesus Christ – who represents us and assures us of YOUR forgiveness. We are comforted in knowing that Jesus is always at YOUR right hand interceding for us and He always hears our prayers. Thank You, Jesus. We are to come boldly to YOUR throne, O GOD, but we also know we are to come with reverence because YOU are our King, our most gracious and loving Father. There at YOUR throne we will receive YOUR mercy and we will find grace when we need it.
Photo: Smoky Mountain National Park (Tennessee)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
