Jesus, Our Compassionate High Priest

Hebrews 4:12-16

Today we continue on with our readings from the Book of Hebrews, and the author mentions in this passage both Jesus as our compassionate High Priest, how we can boldly approach the throne of God, and the Bible as as sharp, two-edged sword.  We have someone who can sympathetically plead our case with God the Father. If we have the Lord Jesus as our Savior, we can enter, ourselves, into the throne room of God. These are privileges that the Blood of Jesus has bought for those who have put their faith and trust in Him.  Let’s take a look at our Scripture passage today.

The first verse of our passage describes the Word of God as living (vs. 12).  It is living as its Author is God, divinely inspiring the humans who were His instruments in writing it.  It is also living because the Holy Spirit brings its message in our hearts. Like a surgeon’s knife, it cuts deep within us, revealing who we are and what we are not.  It shows what is within us, both good and evil. The Bible can transform our life, keeping us anchored to God during the storms we face. Verse 12 also describes God’s Word as a two-edged sword.  It is comforting and nourishing to those who have given their lives to Jesus. But it is a tool of judgment and execution to those who have not accepted Him.

Next our author of Hebrews continues on with one of his running themes throughout this book - that of Jesus being superior to every aspect of the old Jewish faith.  Under the Levitical law the people could only approach God with their sacrifices for sins through the priests, and the High Priest could only approach the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement.  Jesus is superior to the Jewish priests, including the High Priest (vs. 14). They were only human, and had to deal with their own sins, as well as the people’s. Jesus is both God and man, without sin. He intercedes for us to God, and assures us of God’s forgiveness.  The Jewish High Priest could only go to the Holy of Holies once a year. Jesus is always at God’s right hand, interceding for us, always available to hear us.

Jesus faced temptation, just like we do, yet Jesus did not sin (vs 15). He can sympathize with us. He knows what we are going through, and is not indifferent to us.  Jesus shows us, though, that we do not have to sin when facing the draw of temptation. If we turn to Him during our trials, Jesus will give us the strength to turn away and follow His path.

God wants us to come in confidence to Him for everything we need as we face the challenges in our lives (vs 16).  He loves us, and wants us to draw near in prayer. There are two specific things this verse in Hebrews says that God will give us when we come to Him.  Those are mercy and grace. Mercy means that God does not give us what we deserve, which would be divine judgment. Our sins warrant God’s judgment. However, because of Jesus, when we accept Him as our Savior, He is compassionate, and forgives us.  Grace means God gives us what we don’t deserve. We are not worthy of God’s love, favor, or salvation, but because of Jesus, He gives them to us freely.

Hebrews urges us to “hold fast” to our confession of faith (vs 14).  We are to hold on to what the Bible says about our situation with a strong faith, the kind that will not let go.  We can always come to God in prayer. We need to come with reverence because He is our King. However, we can also come with assurance because He is our Friend.