Is Jesus Your High Priest?

Hebrews 4

​Mature believers understand the heavenly priesthood of Jesus Christ and know how to come to the throne of grace for help. They are skillful in using God’s truth in their personal lives, and they can also teach others. Do you qualify? Warren Wiersbe

“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2 For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5 And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6 Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7 again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:1–10 (ESV)

There are three different “rests” are in view: God’s Sabbath rest after creation (Gen. 2:2); Israel’s rest of victory in Canaan (Josh. 21:44); and the believer’s rest of faith described here in Hebrews 4.

“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it... So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, or whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:1; 9-10 (ESV)

Israel was delivered from Egypt, but a whole generation failed to enter Canaan and claim their promised inheritance. Why? Because of their sin, unbelief and disobedience. Let us fear, for Psalm 95:11 says, “Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.”

God not only sees our actions, but He knows our motivation and fears, our heart and our thoughts. He sees our hearts desire, both the healthy and the sick, and He uses His sword to help us see our true spiritual condition (Jer. 17:9).

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.” Jeremiah 17:9–10 (ESV)

We need to daily spend time reading the Word of God, meditating on it, and applying its truths to your heart and to our walk, for one day we will give an account to God of what we have done with His preserved Word and with the resources we have been afforded. So, not only are we to fear, but also be faithful. God calls us to a life faithful to Him in prayer, worship, in our pursuit to disciple and be discipled. We are to be faithful to the testimony of our faith and to our proclamation of Jesus Christ, who is God; who is Savior and Lord.

“Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. 15 Behold, they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come!” 16 I have not run away from being your shepherd, nor have I desired the day of sickness. You know what came out of my lips; it was before your face.” Jeremiah 17:14–16 (ESV)

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.” Hebrews 4:14 (ESV)

We cannot claim our inheritance in our own power or wisdom. But we have a great High Priest who can give us the mercy and the grace we need just when we need them. He lives to intercede for us and to help us accomplish His will.

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “Just as the High-Priest under the Old Covenant passed through 3 areas (the outer court, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies) to make the atoning sacrifice, Jesus passed through 3 heavens (the atmospheric heaven, the stellar heaven, and God’s abode; after making the perfect, final sacrifice. Once a year on the Day of Atonement the High-Priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of the people (Lv 16)... When Jesus entered into the heavenly Holy of Holies, having accomplished redemption, the earthly facsimile was replaced by the reality of heaven itself. Freed from that which is earthly, the Christian faith is characterized by the heavenly.”

Jesus used both the title of humanity (Jesus) and of deity (Son of God). He sacrificed His life to cover our sins. We must hold fast our confession testifying in humility to His Saving Grace by faith in His death, burial, and resurrection.

“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. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15 (ESV)

The writer here adds to his statements that Jesus was in tempted in all things like us; was sinless—the perfect sacrifice. He was able to be tempted, yet unable to sin. Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace.

Dr. Evans continues, “Most ancient rulers were unapproachable by anyone but their highest advisers in contrast, the Holy Spirit calls for all to come confidently before God’s throne to receive mercy and grace through Jesus Christ. The ark of the covenant was viewed as the place on earth where God sat enthroned between the cherubim. Oriental thrones included a footstool—yet another metaphor for the ark. It was at the throne of God that Christ made atonement for sins, and it is there that grace is dispensed to believers for all the issues of life. “Grace to you” became a standard greeting among believers who celebrated this provision.”

Is Jesus your High Priest and sinless sacrifice by which you call for your very present help in time of need? Have you received His grace and mercy, hope and salvation? Are you seeing your sin as God sees your sin? Are you sorry for your sin? Repented from your sin? Are you resting in His promises and preparing for the promised land, or ready to claim your inheritance of eternal life?
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Today, draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, search your heart and your actions, and seek Jesus for a renewed healthy life that will only Glorify Him before a lost world.

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