Thursday 11th
Hebrews 4:14-16
NIV (v15) – ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as
we are—yet he did not sin.’
ESV (v15) – ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.’
As we continue to consider the fact that Jesus is standing in the presence of God as our great high priest, this verse links back to a verse we have already considered, Hebrews 2:18 ‘For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.’ Jesus has already been where we are. Jesus does not stand in heaven aloof from us here on earth, he stands in heaven knowing exactly what we are faced with because he was faced with the same temptations, difficulties etc. as we are. The difference is he withstood every temptation, and when we fail, he understands, and he is willing to intercede for us. On the Cross he provided for us eternal redemption, on the throne he provides for us eternal advocacy, he ever lives to make intercession for us, ‘Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.’ (Hebrews 7:25) therefore as we remain ‘in Christ’ we are secure for eternity.
I don’t know about you, but I guess you will also say the same, I am glad that there is a man in heaven interceding for me, it is God’s one and only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of the world.
‘You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.’ 1 John 3:5
‘For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.’ Hebrews 7:26
Jesus was able to say in John 14:30 ‘I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me . . .’ ‘No claim’, because he was sinless and as a result, ‘. . . there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.’ 1Timothy 2:5
Jesus, my great High Priest, offered his blood and died
My guilty conscience seeks, no sacrifice beside.
His powerful blood did once atone,
And now it pleads before the throne;
To this dear Surety’s hand, will I commit my cause;
He answers and fulfils, His Father’s broken laws.
Behold my soul at freedom set;
My Surety paid, the dreadful debt;
Now I approach the throne, and I have confidence
Jesus, my great High Priest, offered his blood and died
Now I approach the throne, and I have confidence
Jesus, my great High Priest
Offered his blood and died for me.
My Advocate appears, for my defence on high;
The Father bows his ears and lays his thunder by.
Not all that hell or sin can say,
shall turn his heart, his love, away
Should all the hosts of death, and powers of hell unknown
Put their most dreadful forms of rage and mischief on,
I shall be safe, for Christ displays
His conquering power
and guardian grace;
Now I approach the throne, and I have confidence
Jesus, my great High Priest offered his blood and died
Now I approach the throne, and I have confidence
Jesus, my great High Priest, offered his blood and died, offered his blood and died, offered his blood and died for me.