What does "great high priest" reveal about Jesus' role in our lives? Setting the Scene—Hebrews 4:14 “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold firmly to what we profess.” Why “High Priest” Matters • In Israel, the high priest alone entered the Holy of Holies with sacrificial blood (Leviticus 16). • He bridged a holy God and sinful people—but only for a moment, once a year. • The title tells us Jesus fulfils and surpasses that role forever. What Makes Him the “Great” High Priest • His Person—“Jesus the Son of God.” He is both fully divine and fully human (John 1:14; Colossians 2:9). • His Path—He “passed through the heavens,” not a man-made curtain. He entered the true sanctuary (Hebrews 9:24). • His Permanence—He serves “forever” (Hebrews 7:24), never replaced by another priest. Four Daily Truths Revealed by Our Great High Priest 1. Complete Mediator – “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) – We need no additional go-betweens; Jesus personally represents us. 2. Sympathetic Advocate – “For we do not have a high priest unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) – He knows exactly how temptation feels and still leads us out of it. 3. Perfect Sacrifice and Ongoing Intercessor – “He has entered the holy places once for all, not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.” (Hebrews 9:12) – “Therefore He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25) 4. Open Access to God – “Since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near.” (Hebrews 10:19-22) – The veil is gone; prayer is welcomed, anytime, anywhere. Living It Out—Holding Firm Because He Holds Us • Confidence: We cling to the faith because our Priest is permanently at work for us. • Purity: Knowing He offered His own blood calls us to resist sin (1 Peter 2:24). • Hope: His place in heaven guarantees ours (John 14:2-3). • Courage: Even in failure we approach the throne of grace for mercy and help (Hebrews 4:16). In a Sentence “Great high priest” means Jesus perfectly represents us, eternally intercedes for us, and personally grants us constant, confident access to God—truths that anchor every step of life and faith. |
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