Free Bible Commentary
“Hebrews 4:14-16”
Categories: Hebrews“Therefore, since 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
---End of Scripture verses---
From stern words of warning in most of the previous verses to soothing words of comfort today. Continuing with the dominant theme in this letter, our covenant with Christ is superior to any previous covenant because our high priest is greater. We have a “great high priest” in heaven, “Jesus the Son of God”. In God’s prior covenant with Israel, the high priests rendered temporary service in a holy place that was an inferior copy and shadow of the true holy of holies in heaven. The author will go into greater detail about the changing of the priesthood in chapter 7, but he notes here that Jesus serves as high priest at the right hand of God, sitting as His Son on the throne in heaven.
Because of this truth, those of us struggling on earth, for any reason, should “hold fast our confession” (commitment to Christ) with all the strength we can muster. In verse 13 we were warned to stay faithful because God can see right into our hearts and knows our thoughts and intentions and He will judge us. But verse 14 comforts us with the fact that God is not just scrutinizing us but also sympathizing with us. We have a high priest who is able to “sympathize with our weaknesses” in Jesus the Son of God, because He was also Jesus “the Son of Man”. As the “Son of Man” Jesus was forced to “suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed” (Mark 8:31). He also was “tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin” (verse 15).
Jesus knows what you are going through because He is God, but more so because He was human. It is not a sin to be tempted and tested, but it is a sin to give in to sin’s temptations. Jesus never gave in like we do, but He can still help because it is much more difficult to endure temptations than to surrender to them. He knows what it is like to be you, and He is strong enough to help you because He had the perfect power to resist that you do not possess. Friends, fear of the Lord’s judgment is a perfectly legitimate incentive to become and remain faithful to Him. But the fact that He loves us and wants to help us by showering His mercy and grace on us “in time of need” (verse 16) is a much more appealing plea and reason to be faithful until death.
As our King on the throne, Jesus has every right to order us to do His will. And He does just that. But as our sympathetic High Priest, He stands ready, willing and able to help us in the doing of it. So, rather than abandon Him during our times of trials, tribulations and persecutions, those are exactly the times we should “draw near” to Him with “confidence”. Just as closely as we possibly can. “Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (James 4:8-10)
Please read Hebrews 5:1-6 for tomorrow.
We would love for you to come worship God with us today at the Taylorsville Road church of Christ.
We assemble at 3741 Taylorsville Road in Louisville Kentucky.
9:30 AM Bible classes for all ages. 10:30 AM and 5:00 PM worship services.
Have a great Lord’s Day!
- Louie Taylor
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