The Hebrews Commentary Project
Contents:
Hebrews 4:14-16
Hebrews 4:14-16
Study Text:
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.[ Top of Page ]
1. Donald Blind
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4:14-16)
Concerning the above, the Jew of Paul's day would find himself in the same situation as the gentiles in the following quote from Thessalonians:
As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men, Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. (1 Thess. 2:11-16)
Also with Jesus reminding them of the fact that the Kingdom of God , the Temple, Priesthood, sacrifice, and and everything that they had grown accustomed to, was ready to vanish away.
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (Heb. 12:25-29)
Peter faced the same situation with the Jews in Acts two, at Pentecost, to tell them that The Kingdom of God, with the Lord Jesus as the Eternal King, and not the Dead David whose body lay near them in the grave, has gone the way of :
Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:22-24)
Now he will give exposition as to why they must come boldly to the Throne of Grace, because upon that Throne sits, not only King Jesus, not only Prophet Jesus, but also The Very High Priest. This very same Jesus:
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)
[and they have no real choice but to do what those of a few years before had done:]
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (Acts 2:37-40)
To be added to this is Our Lord Jesus answer to the Pharisees,
And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17: 20,21)
The only place they are going to find full help and satisfaction, is not at that temple which was the shadow of Christ, the veil is now torn top to bottom, but with the one "with whom we have to do." This one, Christ Jesus, has made full satisfaction, propitiation, expiation, and is worthy to occupy that Throne; so, come boldly.
Donald E. Blind
dblind@erols.com
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2. Jim McClarty
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (4:14)
Having just reminded the Hebrew audience of their "checkered past" with God (their failure to obtain rest in the wilderness and enter into Canaan by faith) and declaring that God knows the depth and degree of every man's faith and works (God's word slicing through soul and spirit, joint and marrow, discerning our thoughts and intentions, laying us naked and opened), the author builds to this epochal statement.
But, I must go back for a moment in order to build up speed as we hit this verse.
In verse 12 "the word of God" is introduced. In many instances, interpreters understand that phrase to be a reference to the Scriptures, themselves. However, in verse 13, which is the continuation of the same thought, we read "Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in HIS sight." That "His" may be a reference back to God, whose word it is, or it may be a reference to the word, itself...or, Himself. The Living ("quick")Word is a person, not merely a collection of writings and sayings. Of course, that idea will lead any Bible student to John 1:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not...And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-5,14)
With that notion in mind, then "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" would be a reference to Christ. And, that idea carries through right into verse 14, where Jesus is called by name.
Meanwhile, back in chapter 2, verse 17, Jesus is first called "a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." One of the qualifications of His High Priestly station was the fact that he was "made like unto his brethren." Later, in Chapter 3, verse1, Jesus is called "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession." Now the author adds to the accomplishments of this, our "great High Priest".
For nearly 1200 years, the sons of Aaron - the lineage of high priests - had entered yearly into the Holy of Holies to sacrifice for the sins of the people. But, they were merely a foreshadow of the reality of Christ's passing into Heaven, once for all. And, just as the High Priest had to present God with an acceptable blood offering, Christ sealed His ministry with His own blood. These ideas will be explored at length in chapter 9, but here's the important conclusion - knowing that our High Priest has accomplished our reconciliation with God by His sacrifice and ascent to His throne, we should be all the more diligent to fasten our hope and faith securely to Him.
There is no act, no work, no force of will, which can accomplish the one thing we most need - reconciliation with the Sovereign God. None of us is powerful enough, righteous enough, complete enough or holy enough to approach the "great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them." (Rev.20:11). We are in need of someone to bridge the gap and make peace between Him on the judgment throne and us.
But, there is one who has died, risen, and is raised up to heaven. And He is declared to be both our Elder Brother and our High Priest. Hold on tight to that knowledge. Find your rest, your hope, and your assurance in Him - "let us hold fast our profession."
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (4:15)
When Jesus was answering against the Jews who sought to slay Him, He declared His absolute authority over the lives of men. After stating that the Son "quickeneth whom He will," He shocked them with,
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son; that all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. (John 5:22-23)
And, iterating that declaration, Jesus explained,
And, (the Father) hath given him (the Son) authority to execute judgement also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:27)
Did you catch that? All judgment has been assigned to the Son, not because He is the Son of God, but because he is the offspring of mankind. I believe this is more than just a reference to Daniel's messianic designation, it is a point of identification between God and His creatures; Christ has known what it is to be flesh and blood.
No one will be able to stand before the Great White Throne and say, "But, you're God, you can't possibly know what it's like! You've never known pain, loneliness, anxiety, separation, weariness...you've never had to withstand the myriad temptations of being human!" No, the One on the throne will be able to respond, "I know exactly what it's like." He is a fair and righteous judge, knowing (and triumphing over) the trials of the flesh. Notice Isaiah's description of His ministry:
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. And, we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Is.53:3-4)
But, there's a flip side to that coin. For those of us to whom He is a High Priest, He considers our weak frames, knowing we are but dust. He holds us up by His faithful power, knowing our infirmities, our fears, and our failings. He has suffered more than any of us, or all of us combined, will ever suffer.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities;the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Is.53:5-6)
But, He is more than simply one of the continuing line of fleshly priests. Unlike the sons of Aaron who had to sacrifice for their own sins before they could sacrifice for the people, our High Priest - though subject to every temptation we are - remained unspotted.
Plus, here's an intrinsic truth we can glean from this passage: knowing that Christ was tempted, even tempted of Satan directly, and yet without sin, we can conclude that there is no sin in being tempted. James picked up on this truth when he said,
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12)
Temptations come. That's a fact. This life is full of temptations. And our flesh would willingly give in to each and every one were it not for the preserving power of the Spirit which indwells us. Now, I don't believe we ever reach the point of perfection where we live above every temptation - only Christ ever achieved that - but we can endure temptation and come out with our faith intact. Far too many "good-hearted" saints have succumbed to depression in the face of temptation. They feel defeated instead of looking to our Substitute who endured and excelled despite fleshly trials.
So, I'll say it again - temptation is not, in and of itself, sin.
But, every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then, when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. (James 1:14-16)
Do not err. Face the trial. Pray for strength in the face of temptation. Don't give in to the lusts of the flesh. Plus, (good news!) there's a fail-safe built into the plan....
if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (1John2:1)
So, lift up your head, shake off your defeated attitude, look toward the High Priest who has paved a sure way into the Promised Land, who has guaranteed your rest, and....
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4:16)
There's a concept that I've tried to teach my children. I call it "press close." When they're in trouble, when they know they've let me down and there's going to be a price to pay, the worse thing they can do is run and hide. The safest place to be is wrapped in the arms of the one who can punish or forgive. "So," I tell them, "come tell the truth. Let's get it over. And, press close. I love you and, we'll get through the problem together. Don't stay out there at arm's distance where I can swing at you...press close to my heart and count on your father's love and mercy."
I've learned a great deal about our Heavenly Father through having my own kids to raise. And, He's not sitting on the throne of judgment waiting to pounce on His beloved children. He's merciful, patient, slow to anger, and full of grace. The best thing we can do when we slip, when we err, when we sin, is to press close. Come boldly (quickly, confidently) to the throne of grace.
Personally, I think it honors God when we approach Him that way. It's what He prefers, because it's what His Son has accomplished. We are to have no fear of judgment. We are safest wrapped in the arms of the one who bought us and redeemed us. He paid a heavy price to get us, He's not going to suddenly turn His back when His children run to him believing, counting on, depending on Him to be gracious. That honors Him. It honors His promises to us. It honors His Son.
Press close.
CONCLUSION:
Seeing the example of the Exodus generation of Israelites who lost their inheritance to lack of faith, it is of utmost importance and necessity that we "hold fast our profession" of Christ and His complete deliverance. And it can be done! In chapter 11 the Hebrews author will list the Old Testament "heroes of faith." There is always a remnant according to the election of grace who will cling to God's faithful promises.
And that faith gives us entrance to the very throne of God, which we are exhorted to take full advantage of. Run - don't linger, don't lag - to the place of grace and mercy. And, know that you're welcome there. Like the father who watched for his prodigal son to return, the Heavenly Father celebrates every time an erring son or daughter returns to Him in confidence and trust.
In the time of trouble, in the time of pain, in the time of frustration or confusion, come boldly and find sufficient grace to carry you through your time of need. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1b).
I'll repeat myself: "Press close."
Jim McClarty
McClartyfam@juno.com
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3. Kevin Hartley
Where is the terror of Christ? The terror is found only apart from Him. I search in vain for the threats in this letter and muse at the fleeting thoughts of wrath, yet so much more do I marvel at the inscrutable tenderness in which this text is written. When I was a child and babe in my Lord, I read this letter in fear, I cowered at the thunderous caveats set within the exaltation of Him, and thought this letter too troublesome for the faint of heart. I hid my eyes from its rumbling warnings, unable to endure the exhortations, shaken in confidence, wondering if I was such an infidel. So I set my face from it. I put it in my coffer and purposed to never open it again, lest it terrify me with its troubling words. But soul, you cannot let it go, for it pulls at your soul, there is an aching, a missed joy you suffer from such musings and fears.
O troubled soul, delve past the seeming browbeating of the letter and what does one find? Grace, sovereign, merciful, and free. Did you so quickly hasten by the little words, did you compose a fable in your mind, reconstructing a veiled and hidden room? Did your troubled soul and conscience, rich in sinfulness, weave a new curtain before His inner chamber? Tell me, did you, in such haste to rebuild the troubled walls of your unapproachable temple, neglect our author's gentle choice of words to his readers, the affinity he claims with them, the confidence he places in the lasting bonds of their election so sweet?
Oh reader, do not neglect the tenderness of simple words, glancing hastily past a fleeting participle of utmost importance. For though our text reads 'seeing we have,' here rather the true emphasis of our author is not that we be found seeing, but knowing; knowing we have a great High Priest. It is this word 'having' that is thrust forward before the conjunction 'therefore' in the original, which is to gain our attention. It is no word of potentiality, nor is it a word that speaks of what may pass away, but it is a word that speaks of a lasting possession. We are those 'having a great High Priest.' Open the box, break the seal, cast away the dust from your coffer Christian, this is where our confidence is found. The author's words are conclusionary and of great necessity, saying 'therefore having a great High Priest' let us strengthen our confession. Since we have such a One as this Jesus, who has passed once and for all into the heavens, let us strengthen our confession. We have every cause to be steadfast in our profession of faith, having a great High Priest, Jesus, the Son of God, who has ascended on high; brethren, we need no other overture. What we have here is a summary of what has come beforehand, the conclusion to this the whole matter. Jesus we may approach. Having proven his point, our author now admonishes and strengthens his readers to faith.
'Why' might one ask, why should we be strong in our profession? Might it be because of our fear of rejection and retribution? Nay, but rather, it is because of whom it is we profess. He is a great High Priest who has known and first endured through such trial as we face. He without sin was tempted in all points as we. He did endure and if He endured, how much more shall we endure? For is He not the Captain of our salvation, the author and finisher of our faith? What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Famine, nakedness, sword, persecution, tribulation? Oh blessed child of His soul, are you not more than a conqueror through Him who loved us?
But with what folly do we stay away from such an One? I marvel at my soul, its solitude, its shrouds, its reasoning, that as Apollyon, convinces me that I must stay away. Let us not stay away. Let us not listen to the shame of our sins; let us not tremble from the threats of the Rabshakeh; be strong in the Lord. For He alone has declared you His own, made worthy through Him to approach. Why do I stay away? When trouble besets me, I rather flee from Him than to Him. When sin assaults me, I cower in fear, as though I become a law unto myself. I tell myself 'stay away, you are unclean, unclean,' even though he has declared me clean. I rail against Him, shaking my fist at His mercy and forgiveness, chiding Him for even suggesting that I be more than a wicked and wretched sinner. So I find solace in my misery. But as this passage so mercifully will not leave the poor helpless widow to mourn the loss of her last son, how quickly providence and His effectual call brings me back into the path of justice and mercy. Back to the cross, again to see the sweet kiss of justice and mercy, where love poured out fury upon His only begotten Son. Oh you fool, sin and sin boldly, let not your heart be troubled nor deceived. Put down the stone you are to cast, for He is your righteousness; He was tempted in all these things but did not sin, that your sins might be no longer red as crimson but white as snow. So go and sin no more. For the love of Him, go and sin no more. Chaste and pure bride, virgin of His heart's delight, go and sin no more. And come, freely, quickly, confidently, boldly, to a throne of grace, where the robes of your Christ flow. Come weary soul, come...
Kevin Hartley
kartleyk@erols.com
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4. Tim Clifton
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (4:14)
We have now for two chapters been considering the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. (3:1). We have found Him the builder and not the house. We have found Him the Son and not the servant. We have found Him our Rest, as opposed to our works. And we have been exhorted to labor to enter into that rest, as the Word of God will not be stopped, and no man's heart of unbelief will ever be hidden from His sight. Seeing Jesus is all these things, we have no option but to give up any vestige of our hope of Moses or earned righteousness, and carefully and faithfully seize the Son! Seize the Son, because after considering Him, Jesus Christ is truly worthy of our attentions.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (4:15)
Here, I believe we enter a wonderful new idea, that perhaps the Hebrews themselves had not fully entertained. The high priest to the common man was probably quite distant. He had His job and 'I have mine.' Yes, he was of the people of God, and yes, he atoned for the sins of all the people of God each year, but how much did he really relate to the average Jew? Was he just like you and me? Of course he was - same temptations, infirmities etc. etc. But did the common Hebrew really relate to the priest class? Now, we see Jesus, who has been shown to be God the Son, farther above us, up there at the throne of God, than any Levitical priest ever was. But this one is NOT out of touch with each of us down here! When we hurt, He knows what we're going through. He was there. He was even tempted like us, but 'yet without sin'; - God, my new high priest, who feels with me and for me; - God the Son, who knows what I'm going through. He knows, and He cares!
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4:16)
This verse flows naturally as a result of the wonderful truth we have just considered. God, my high priest, cares. I can cast all my cares on Him, because He cares for me! But the exhortation is still needed, "let us therefore come boldly," because it is anything but natural to freely and without reservation come before the throne of the highest power in the universe! We tend to nurse our hurts and hide our temptations. But no need beloved, because He cares and He wants us to come! He wants us to come BOLDLY! Wow! Instant access all the time to this new and better high priest. I'll bet this gave the Hebrew reader a sense of comfort they never knew before. And it should do the exact same thing to us. God cares, and wants us to come boldly. What a friend we have in Jesus; all our sins and griefs to bear! May I suggest that this verse, Hebrews 4:16, holds a place for the Christian like no other in the New Testament? It is the last stop when we are caught in sin. It is the final step when all our efforts have failed. When we are in the pit, and the walls of sin that we have fashioned are so high that there is absolutely no hope left for us, there is Hebrews 4:16. "That we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need," is in the Bible, and that 'time of need' will come in your life. I have been there. I have been to the point of such utter defeat and lowness, there was nothing to do except fall before the feet of Jesus at the very throne of God for help. No visible way out, but friend, the throne of grace is always visible to the believer. I may come boldly, even in my desperate condition. I have visited there, and used this verse many times. He has always been faithful to me, and by His grace, I have been pulled out of the pit. It is true! We MAY come to the throne, and there we will find Jesus, and we will find help. For all the mighty truths in the book of Hebrews, I think I praise God the most for this one verse: that we may come; that we may obtain mercy, and that we may find grace to help in the time of 'our' need!
In Christ,
Tim Clifton
tclifton@hotmail.com
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5. Michael Cruz
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (4:14)
Verse fourteen should be a great encouragement to believers. It is here that we see the majesty of Christ. The writer makes mention of three qualities here which our saviour possesses and then gives us an exhortation. I will begin by looking at the three attributes which the author mentions.
- First of all we see that He is a high priest. We first saw this mentioned in 2:17 where we learned that Christ had to first come in the likeness of human flesh so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in order to make an atonement for our sins. This is a reminder to us of this high priest who became like us so that we could become like Him.
- The second quality mentioned in this verse is that Christ has gone through the heavens. This is a reference to his resurrection and ascension. There are many verses that testify to Christ's resurrection throughout scripture but I think this refers back to verse 2:9. It was here that we learned that Christ "tasted death" for us. The present verse is a reference to 2:9 in the sense that Christ died for us. However, since this was not permanent, but He soon rose from the tomb, we can say that He tasted and defeated death for us so that we need not fear the grave. We can look forward to a resurrection of our souls to an eternal presence with Him and in a sense go through the heavens to follow Him.
- The last attribute that we see mentioned in this verse is the fact that He is referred to as the Son of God. This gives authority to the other two qualities. This means He is a true high priest who provides us a definite atonement, for our sins, that is acceptable in the father's sight. We will find more on this in chapter seven concerning Christ's function as a high priest and His once for all offering. The fact that He is the Son of God also gives authority to His resurrection and ascension. We know that His resurrection is not the cheap counterfeit of the deceiver but a true resurrection that defeated death and Satan. These no longer have a hold on the believer and we need not fear for Christ holds the keys (Rev 1:18). The exhortation has special power attached to it now that we have fully looked at the other qualities associated with it. We have seen the one who sustains us in all of His glory. With this in mind, we can now confidently hold firmly to the faith that we profess since we know from verse 1:3 that He "sustains all things by his powerful word." In this we can be confident in our faith as we suffer for His sake. Let us heed the words of John 10:28, "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (4:15)
In verse fifteen we are given a truth for which we should be most thankful. The verse states in part: "We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses." This must mean that we have a high priest in Jesus Christ who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Philippians 2:6 expresses a similar sentiment:
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Because He took on human flesh and went through the trials and temptations of man, He knows our situation and can offer true empathy. Yet, He was sinless, since He was in His very nature God and He has direct access to the grace which cleanses from all unrighteousness. What a comfort to have a high priest who knows what our temptation is like, and yet has the full reservoir of mercy and grace from which we can draw to deliver us from the pit which is our sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4:16)
In looking at verse sixteen it is important to take all the many things that come before it in previous chapters into account. We have learned that Christ sustains all things by His power; He is our empathetic high priest; we are brothers in His family; He intercedes for us at the right hand of the father; He is greater than Moses, and He is our resting place. There is so much more that could be added but this is enough to let us know that when the author states we are to approach the throne of grace with confidence, we most surely can do so. If we had a special relationship with the most powerful king on earth and we knew that he loved and accepted us as family, we might be a bit anxious about approaching him lest we be seen as seeking special treatment and bringing reproach upon the king. But we, as believers, have a relationship that is more powerful than the most bountiful king on earth. We have the Lord Jesus Christ who is our all in all, and we do not have to be ashamed or reserved about approaching Him for this is within our right to do so as this verse encourages us to do. What a joy to be part of the kingdom of God!
Michael Cruz
a_la_cruz@technologist.com
Read My Testimony at http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/1695/test7.html
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6. Murray McLellan
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (4:14)
In chapter 3, verse 1, the writer of Hebrews has called us, who are partakers of the heavenly calling, to consider (to set our minds on) the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus. He then showed how this ultimate Apostle (sent one) is the very Son who is the fulfillment of the shadows pictured by Moses. He is the Greater Sent One, whose redemption is greater, for it is from slavery to sin unto eternal life. He is our Sabbath rest, in which we cease from our labors and rest secure and satisfied in His perfect and finished work. Now the writer causes us to consider our great High Priest - a High Priest far superior to Aaron.
The priests under the old covenant were mediators between God and the people of Israel. Only the High Priest could offer the highest sacrifice once a year on the Day of Atonement. He alone could enter the veiled Holy of Holies, where blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat.
To enter the Holy of Holies, the High Priest had to put on a linen garment and pass through the three areas of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). He took blood from the sacrifice and passed through the outer court, into the Holy Place, and then through the veil into the Holy of Holies. He did not sit down, nor did he stay in the presence of the Shekinah glory of God. He sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice and then left, not to return for another year.
Our glorious and holy God did not destroy and annihilate the sinful and rebellious human race because of His covenant promise - the Seed! In the animal sacrifice on the Day of Atonement, God, in His mind's eye, saw the coming fulfillment. That picture provided a temporary covering against the wrath of God, for it pointed to the great Day of Atonement on Calvary where our great High Priest offered Himself as the perfect and complete and all sufficient atonement for His people.
Then, passing through the three heavens into the Most Holy Place - the Holy of Holies - the very dwelling place of the glory of the God Most High - He sprinkled His own precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. Through this sacrifice, once for all, He obtained eternal redemption for all who would cast themselves upon Him in faith. He set the captives free! And then He sat down - for it was finished! No more once a year sacrifice, for this was no mere creature. This was the very Son of God Himself! And He remains in the presence of the Father, seated on His throne at the Father's right hand. He alone is the access to God for sinful man. You either rest in Christ's finished atonement or else you are storing up wrath for the day of judgment.
Let us demonstrate that our confession is more than mere lip service by holding fast to our great High Priest. Let us cling to Him, for He alone is our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Hold fast to the God that holds us fast in His hand, for He is to be desired far above rubies and gold. Let us hold fast our confession - "Christ - our righteousness!"
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (4:15)
Our great High Priest is not so far removed from human life and concerns that He cannot sympathize. Our High Priest is a Man. Yes, He is God, but miracle of miracles, God became flesh, dwelt among us, and humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
He has perfect understanding. He walked this sod with greater love, disappointment, grief, higher stndards of righteousness, and greater sensitivity to sin and evil than we. Do we forget that His sinless holiness would cause the sin (and all its consequences) of this world to grieve and pain Him far greater than those of us who are still walking in sinful flesh? Do we forget Gethsemane? Oh, this Man of Sorrows knows about temptation, testing, pain, enduring, bearing up under, and weakness (human frailty). He has been here.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4:16)
Yes, the throne is a throne of grace. We are beckoned to come, not because we are worthy, but because He is worthy and we have His imputed righteousness. This is not a throne of debt or works, but of grace, for we need continual mercy and grace. The time of need is now! Without Him we can do nothing! If we come to obtain mercy and find grace, we will receive and find that His grace is indeed sufficient!
Historically, it was a dangerous thing to approach the throne of a king.
All the king's servants and the people of the king's provinces know that any man or woman who goes into the inner court to the king, who has not been called, he has but one law: put all to death, except the one to whom the king holds out the golden scepter, that he may live. (Esther 4:11)
Come boldly. The golden scepter is held out to us who believe, held by a nailed-scarred hand.
As Esther in Esther 5:1-3,
Now it happened on the third day that Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the king's palace, across from the king's house, while the king sat on his royal throne in the royal house, facing the entrance of the house. So it was, when the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, that she found favor in his sight, and the king held out to Esther the golden scepter that was in His hand. Then Esther went near and touched the top of the scepter. And the king said to her, "What do you wish, Queen Esther? What is your request? It shall be given to you - up to half the kingdom!"
Oh, we have been clothed in the royal robes of Jesus Christ Himself. We come into the inner court in His righteous robes, standing in a beauty not our own. We find favor in His sight, receiving not half His kingdom, but being made a joint heir with Christ! Oh what supreme grace!
We do not have to scheme and deceive as Jacob did, clothing himself as Esau, the favored son, to gain acceptance and the blessing. No, for the favored Son Himself clothes us. When the Father smells us - yes, it is the aroma of His favored Son. When He touches us - yes, it is not our flesh He feels, but the glory of His favored Son. There is no deceit here. There is no injustice, for our Father sees perfectly well. Our Mediator does not just clothe us on the outside, but He changes our heart. Because of the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation (a mercy seat) by His blood, God is JUST to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
So let us rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation!
Murray McLellan
m.mclellan@sk.sympatico.ca
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7. Maurice Bergeron
Seeing then that we have a great high priest. (4:14a)
Do you remember the expression, “seeing is believing”? Those who are in Christ have the God-given ability to see through the eye of faith. Saving faith is not a blind faith. Here, in these and previous verses, we have the sure word of God that opens to us the mystery of God concerning the high priestly office and function of our Lord Jesus. In Hebrews 2:17 the word reads,
it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God.
For what purpose does He serve us even now? That He might be a merciful and faithful high priest on our behalf before His Father, to the end that we might be reconciled to His Father. Think upon this: His joy is to serve both His Father and His Redeemed through this office.
That (who) is passed into the heavens. (14:4b)
When you and I look up to the heavens in the manner that our Lord directed father Abraham, we can see the same multitude of stars stretching forth from one end of the universe to the other. It is a most magnificent thing to consider. At the same time this same view also presents itself as a barrier to the finite mind when it attempts to look beyond those star-filled heavens. What mortal could ever pass through and overcome such a mass of creation? Add to that picture the vastness of the spiritual realm where no sinful man could ever venture. Who can pass through that endless sea? None but Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God. In His train follow a multitude of stars which no man can number.
let us hold fast our profession. (4:14c)
Holding fast is the opposite of letting go. Some who are kept by Christ find this text difficult. They ask, “Why would anyone depart from professing Christ?” Let me answer you with a text from Isaiah:
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. (Isa. 53:3)
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. (4:15a)
Thankfully Isaiah didn´t stop at verse three. He continued to write:
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. (Isa 53:4 -11)
We see then the marks of our high priest.
But was in all points tempted as (we are, yet) without sin. (4:15b)
Unlike the first man, and unlike ourselves, He was tested and tempted but He remained sinless.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace. (4:16)
Who needs further encouragement? He is satisfied. Let us with much assurance make haste to go into His presence. We honor Him by doing so. This is His great and perfect work of reconciliation accomplished. You be satisfied with it.
Maurice Bergeron
ic@mdc.net
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8. Reid Ferguson
There are passages within God's Word that strike such glorious chords of comfort and consolation, as to be within themselves whole Bibles of counsel. Such is the text before us here. Contained in these three verses, even wrested from their surrounding context, are such thoughts as make the flood waters of the heart swell to overflowing. How can it be? To what do we owe such incomprehensible grace? How can man, depraved, undone, the sworn enemy of God, be privy to such secret treasures as these words afford? Such is the love of our God for His dear elect. And can we comprehend it? Not for a moment! It is when surveying such things that our hearts must rise up with the hymnist's and cry:
And can it be, that I should gain, an interest in the Savior's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain. For me, who Him, to death pursued. Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shoulds't die for me? Amazing love! How can it be, that Thou, my God, shoulds't die for me?
Beloved, can you sing such words and not weep?
Then as John Flavel says "you are a rock, and no man." Here the flood gates of blessing swing wide and the rushing torrent of His limitless bounty crashes and washes over the soul as though a thousand oceans of purest liquid love would carry us away in ecstasy. This is that which belongs to the Redeemed alone.
But would God have that enough for us? No indeed. Though our minds cannot imagine more, yet so gracious and full, so incomprehensible is this mercy, love and grace, that He provides not merely for our regeneration, but all that may be required in our sanctification and glorification as well. And to this end, He has provided yet again for all our needs in the fathomless person and work of The Son. So the words of our text.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest. (Heb. 4:14a)
- Notice first, that the author is drawing upon what he has established before.
He has gone to great lengths to get us to consider the apostle and high priest of our calling - even Christ. But now he bids us farther still. A look beyond the veil; Not just an high priest, for under Aaron's headship there were many of these. But here, a singular high priest, indeed the "great" high priest. This is a title appended to no other; He alone is The Great High Priest. His office was not that of offering up types and shadows, but the fulfilling of them all. His blood did not prefigure yet another; His blood atoned for all. There would be none to follow. His priesthood is an unchangeable one by virtue of His never ending life. And who else ever spoke for God to man with absolute flawless clarity and power? Whoever so represented man to God in such a way as to bring total, final, and absolute reconciliation? He is indeed our GREAT, high priest.
- Notice secondly, that His work is not done.
For as He was our priest while yet among us, He yet remains, discharging all His holy work in that true Tabernacle in the Heavenlies, made without hands. He is our Great High Priest, "that is passed into the heavens." Now here is an abundant twofold blessing. For in order for Him to have been raised up from the grave, and then to pass into Heaven itself, it is that positive and incontrovertible sign that our sins have been forgiven. Weary Christian - you who have have been so trodden down of late, whose heart is pierced through with many of the devil's darts and accusations - look up! You're sins are forgiven! Not because you feel it so, but because He has passed into Heaven! Let all Belial's slings and arrows be never so accurate and true - this more - "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom. 8:34). Praise God!
Not only this, but He remains there to intercede on our behalf as well. O glory of glories how can it be? No wonder He can say "I will never leave you nor forsake you, even unto the end of the age." For He yet lives and intercedes. This too is how our heart's assurance is built upon an unshakable bedrock, and not the false security of religious supposition, for:
"I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand" (John 10:28, 29).
Who then has made such a bold declaration on our behalf? The only one who can, our Great High Priest that has passed into the heavens.
And say that name again with me once more, will you not? Who is this Great High Priest? He is no myth or legend. He is not a theological or philosophical construct, He is none other than "Jesus the Son of God." O is there sweeter music anywhere in Heaven or earth than that precious, lovely name? It is not so! Even the Father declares that at His name every knee shall one day bow and confess that He is Lord.
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Has anything sweeter, lovelier or more precious ever passed you lips or mine? It cannot be. O this Jesus, this Savior, this beautiful Son of God! What a gift beyond description is ours, that we may say it with hearts full of love and adoration.
Ah, now it is we see then the marvelous provision for the weakest and meanest of saints that we might "hold fast our profession." He is all our strength and hope. Left to ourselves, we would abandon Him as surely as any in the day of His passion. We are no more stable than vacillating Peter, and have no more faith than doubting Thomas. But that was all before. See Him once, high and lifted up. See Him passed into the heavens on our behalf. See Him having fulfilled every requirement for our redemption. Having once seen Him so, the cowardly Peter roars with the echoed voice of the Lion of Judah on the Day of Pentecost, and is ready to die a martyr's death for the glory of his King.
- Notice thirdly then that this precious priest of ours has not entered Heaven's gates and forgotten us here.
May it never be. When our Christ and King does plead with the Father on our behalf, His is no passionless petition that mumbles out worn and tired clichés - O. He is touched with the very feelings of our infirmities. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Now what an anchor for the soul is this? It was said by one who overheard Luther in his prayers, that never had he heard such familiarity with God, nor such reverence. What must the Savior's pleadings on our part sound like? They are the only weeping and wailing of Heaven. Not in fear or doubt, but in the holy engagement of the Great Shepherd for His sheep, the Great High Priest for His people. Make no mistake about it dear one, He is not silent for us. If great drops of blood poured from His fleshly brow here, what must the courts of Heaven sound like like flooded with the ringing voice who spoke the worlds into creation praying for you and me? It numbs the mind to even consider it.
Is it not one of the darkest aspects of all trials and temptations, than when in the midst of them, we feel so all alone? "No one has ever hurt as we do" we muse. None has faced such black days. No one else has ever been assaulted so or enjoined to sin with such relentless temptations. Beloved hear me - He has.
**Barely days old, King Herod seeks to kill him.
**He is raised in obscurity and not believed upon even by His own brothers.
**He is driven into the desert and tempted by the Adversary face to face.
**He is publicly ridiculed, mocked, scorned, disregarded, and completely misunderstood.
**His closest yoke-fellow, John the Baptizer is murdered, and he is left with no one who understands.
**His own family at one point seeks to have Him put away, thinking He has lost His mind.
**The very night before His death, one of His closest ones sells Him for betrayer's silver.
Who has He ever harmed? What has He ever done?
1) He has preached the Kingdom,
2) He has healed the sick,
3) He has raised the dead,
4) He has bound the demons,
5) He has taught truth as none else ever did, nor ever will.
And yet the hours of His passion are attended by friends
1) who will not pray because they are tired,
2) who then scatter like wind blown dust when He is taken away to be brutalized, mocked, tortured, and fixed to rough hewn cross beams by spikes driven through His flesh, while His brow bleeds from thorns jammed deep into His skull.
Then, hanging naked in this bloody agony, filthy sinners hiss jeering taunts, while pagans gamble to take home even His very clothing.Beloved - if there were ever one who can pour out petitions and prayers on behalf of the saints in their hours of pain and weakness it is He!
There, even in glory, He still bears the scars that our sin cost Him. Do you think for one moment, that we do not have an Advocate that will stop at nothing to spare His own loved ones all but what grace alone can craft for them? Doubt it never again. He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities, even as we are His body, and so when He arrests Paul on the Damascus road, He does not say, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute my Church", but, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute - me?"
What shall we say then to such things? O now this is counsel:
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (4:16)
What a heaven of glory this is. Beloved, never let us be far from the prayer closet since all of the above is the case. What more confidence can we be given, that our prayers and petitions will be heard than what we have seen? Do let us come. Do not hesitate. I can hear some say, "but my sin is so black." O beloved, but His blood is so sufficient! Another will cry, "but I know not what to say." Just come - come! There is grace here and mercy. When? "in the time of need." In every season at every hour, He is there and not only permits us to come, but bids us come! And how are we to come? Boldly. Not flippantly or arrogantly as some would falsely say. Boldly, not in our own worthiness, but His. Boldly because our faith looks to His atoning work. Boldly because He is not ashamed to call us brethren. Boldly, because "we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God," and so we may look to Him that we might "hold fast our profession."
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
So indeed,
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
To God be the glory.
Reid A. Ferguson
reidf@frontiernet.net
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