READ: Heb. 4:14-16: … For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses … Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace …
After powerful words, words of comfort and exhortation now resound. The greatness of Christ is emphasized once again, this time as a high priest. He surpasses the earthly high priests because He has entered not the earthly but the heavenly sanctuary. He did so after His resurrection and ascension. At that time, He sat down at the right hand of God the Father (1:3).
His majesty is that of a glorified man who is the Son of God! In 7:26, it is even said that He is exalted as a high priest above the heavens (see also Eph. 4:26). Thus, Jesus has achieved the highest possible position through His atoning suffering and death on the cross.
Based on this confession, the author calls for holding fast to faith in this Jesus Christ as the great Reconciler and to continue confessing Him as such. For He is now in heaven, a merciful High Priest who is aware of all the trials and temptations that His church on earth undergoes. He can certainly empathize with what weak brothers experience in temptations. These temptations may lead to apostatize (3:12) and to lag behind (4:1).
Christ was tempted in the same way as we are. He was sinless (v.15), but He was indeed tempted, even in unimaginably severe ways. Satan was also trying to lead Him into sin, even under hellish circumstances. But He resisted Satan. Christ’s empathy leads to His helping His own to come out of temptation at the right time (v.16). He does this in heaven with the Father.
With this comfort, the author encourages us to now approach the throne of grace with confidence through faith in Jesus. As our High Priest, He has opened this way for us. He ensures that God shows us mercy and grace in response to our prayers and helps us in time so that we do not succumb in the battle. What an encouragement for us!
Could Jesus have yielded to temptation? Singing: Hymn 33: 4-6