Hebrews 4:14-16
"Therefore, because we have a who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast the confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to be sympathetic to our needs, but on who has been tempted in every way just as we have--yet without sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, with the result that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in our need." (4:14-16)
This is the beginning of a new section for the writer. It is definitely closely related to the REST that has been defined and is our goal as believers, but in order to enter that rest we need a high priest. And not just any priest. This letter is written to Hebrew, Jewish Christians, who were sorely tempted to return to Judaism. They might have lost everything upon their conversion; similarly, they may have been promised everything back if they would just renounce this confession of Jesus as their Messiah. But the point of this letter is not to destroy or condemn Judaism, but rather to point them back to the NEW covenant by point them back to the greater-than Jesus who fulfilled the old covenant and really broke the powers that it (Torah/the Law) helped only to point out. In Jesus, God saves all the world by intervening in a way we never could. In a way no priest ever could, except for the GREAT high priest. Jesus > priesthood.
This title is only used of Jesus. No priest in the OT could assume it, and we will see why later on. But Jesus could. Why? Because not only was he a man who lived, but He was raised, and made alive again. That resurrection and the Spirit he has given us are the 2 defining proofs that Jesus is greater. No high priest has every "passed through the heavens" from death to life. You could argue that some did not taste death, but it has already been established that Jesus has done that on our behalf (2:9). And yet Jesus lives, forever the Son of God.
Because of Him, we must hold fast to our confession. He who, just like His covenant Father God, did not forsake us but has become our great high priest, will we now forsake him? Will we live in negation of what He has done by going backwards to religious deeds and duties (striving)? May it never be!
The writer may not have gone of on that much of a tangent, but it has to be implied when one considers the ramifications of going back, of hardened hearts returning to captivity (remember Israel's grumbling?) instead of entering into the Sabbath Rest. It makes me go crazy! But we do the exact same thing! We are tempted in the exact same was! To go back to this religious routine, to strive, and to neglect this great salvation and our great high priest.
Jesus, keep us from this!
Looking at the next 2 verses, I am assured that he can and that he will do just that. He gets it. Just think of what he grew up in. He was Jewish. He has the same laws we still read in the OT, plus many more traditions regarded as law. He was without sin in that respect, but also in the deeper sense of being without sin in true fellowship with his Father. He did not profess with his mouth to live him yet stand off at a distance in his heart. Not at all. And we say, well, he was the Son of God. And I say, are we not sons & daughters too?!
See what love the Father has lavished over us, that we should be called children of God--and that is what we are!
(1 John 3:1)
Sure, we are not "in very nature God" (see Philippians 2), but we are His. And He is ours. And in Christ, as children, we can draw near with this unshakeable confidence to His throne of grace. And that results in mercy being poured our over us. And that grace transforms into a powerful agent of help to us in our need.
Do we believe this? Are we drawing near? Or are we backing away, shrinking back from the REST we are promised, somehow afraid of the great high priest who has made the way for us?
Lord, enact confidence and assurance within us as we draw near. Remind us that there is not ever condemnation or guilt awaiting us; because we are in you there is mercy and grace and help. Thank you for adopting us and sealing that adoption with your Spirit, who enables us to cry out, ABBA, DADDY! as precious children of Him. Make us wide-eyed with wonder to yourself as we seek your face above all others. We are so in love with you. And you fully reciprocate that to us. Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Saved from death. Healed from all sickness. Received into mercy and grace. Given the Spirit of assurance, the Helper. Praise be to our God and Father!
This is the beginning of a new section for the writer. It is definitely closely related to the REST that has been defined and is our goal as believers, but in order to enter that rest we need a high priest. And not just any priest. This letter is written to Hebrew, Jewish Christians, who were sorely tempted to return to Judaism. They might have lost everything upon their conversion; similarly, they may have been promised everything back if they would just renounce this confession of Jesus as their Messiah. But the point of this letter is not to destroy or condemn Judaism, but rather to point them back to the NEW covenant by point them back to the greater-than Jesus who fulfilled the old covenant and really broke the powers that it (Torah/the Law) helped only to point out. In Jesus, God saves all the world by intervening in a way we never could. In a way no priest ever could, except for the GREAT high priest. Jesus > priesthood.
This title is only used of Jesus. No priest in the OT could assume it, and we will see why later on. But Jesus could. Why? Because not only was he a man who lived, but He was raised, and made alive again. That resurrection and the Spirit he has given us are the 2 defining proofs that Jesus is greater. No high priest has every "passed through the heavens" from death to life. You could argue that some did not taste death, but it has already been established that Jesus has done that on our behalf (2:9). And yet Jesus lives, forever the Son of God.
Because of Him, we must hold fast to our confession. He who, just like His covenant Father God, did not forsake us but has become our great high priest, will we now forsake him? Will we live in negation of what He has done by going backwards to religious deeds and duties (striving)? May it never be!
The writer may not have gone of on that much of a tangent, but it has to be implied when one considers the ramifications of going back, of hardened hearts returning to captivity (remember Israel's grumbling?) instead of entering into the Sabbath Rest. It makes me go crazy! But we do the exact same thing! We are tempted in the exact same was! To go back to this religious routine, to strive, and to neglect this great salvation and our great high priest.
Jesus, keep us from this!
Looking at the next 2 verses, I am assured that he can and that he will do just that. He gets it. Just think of what he grew up in. He was Jewish. He has the same laws we still read in the OT, plus many more traditions regarded as law. He was without sin in that respect, but also in the deeper sense of being without sin in true fellowship with his Father. He did not profess with his mouth to live him yet stand off at a distance in his heart. Not at all. And we say, well, he was the Son of God. And I say, are we not sons & daughters too?!
See what love the Father has lavished over us, that we should be called children of God--and that is what we are!
(1 John 3:1)
Sure, we are not "in very nature God" (see Philippians 2), but we are His. And He is ours. And in Christ, as children, we can draw near with this unshakeable confidence to His throne of grace. And that results in mercy being poured our over us. And that grace transforms into a powerful agent of help to us in our need.
Do we believe this? Are we drawing near? Or are we backing away, shrinking back from the REST we are promised, somehow afraid of the great high priest who has made the way for us?
Lord, enact confidence and assurance within us as we draw near. Remind us that there is not ever condemnation or guilt awaiting us; because we are in you there is mercy and grace and help. Thank you for adopting us and sealing that adoption with your Spirit, who enables us to cry out, ABBA, DADDY! as precious children of Him. Make us wide-eyed with wonder to yourself as we seek your face above all others. We are so in love with you. And you fully reciprocate that to us. Bless the Lord, o my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Saved from death. Healed from all sickness. Received into mercy and grace. Given the Spirit of assurance, the Helper. Praise be to our God and Father!
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