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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. 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. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. – Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:1
These ideas would have been revolutionary for those Jewish Christians that the writer of Hebrews was addressing. Priests for them were at the top of the food chain, and they deserved respect and honor. The high priest was the supreme religious leader of the Israelites. The office of the high priest was hereditary and was traced from Aaron, the brother of Moses, of the Levite tribe. The high priest had to be “whole” physically (without any physical defects) and holy in his conduct. Because the high priest held the leadership position, one of his roles was overseeing the responsibilities of all the subordinate priests. Only the high priest could wear the Urim and the Thummin (engraved dice-like stones used to determine truth or falsity through God’s power). For this reason, the Hebrew people would go to the high priest in order to know the will of God. The high priest had to offer a sin offering not only for the sins of the whole congregation but also for himself. The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month of every year. Only he was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place in the temple behind the veil to stand before God. Having made a sacrifice for himself and for the people, he then brought the blood into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled it on the mercy seat, God’s “throne.” He did this to make a symbolic atonement for himself and the people for all their sins committed during the year that had just ended. This whole process was an act of faith and a foreshadowing of the sacrifice that Jesus made in our place!
Except Jesus is an even Better High priest! See, the role of these High Priests was to represent Israel before God and offer sacrifices to atone for the people’s sins. However, those same priests were themselves morally flawed, and they constantly had to offer sacrifices for their own sins. Something more was needed, something like the ultimate high priest.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. This verse shows a picture of a priest that was out of touch with life and what it is like to walk among the culture, but Jesus personally knows what it is like to face sin, but He didn’t succumb to temptation. Because we have this better high priest, we can come with confidence, knowing our high priest doesn’t have to make a sacrifice for His own sin, but He paid the ultimate sacrifice with His life….. in our place! Now we no longer have to go through a human priest, but we ourselves can boldly go to the throne of God and speak directly to our heavenly Father and ask Him to show us His will personally! We can approach God we confidence when we need mercy & grace. Take a few minutes right now to boldy go to God for what you need, whether it’s encouragement, comfort, peace, rest, or forgiveness. Jesus is better. You can go right to Him!