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. 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. 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.
It should come as a point of major comfort that Jesus Christ: 1) passed through the heavens, 2) is the Son of God, 3) can sympathize with our weaknesses by being tempted as we are, 4) and is without sin. Why? Let’s address each:
Passed through the heavens: The High Priests of the Old Testament tradition were the only ones allowed into the Holy of Holies (the inner most part of the Temple) to petition God on behalf of the people. Jesus went further than that, going to the very resting place of God to petition on our behalf. There is no further that He could go for us.*
Is the Son of God: Jesus, as the Son of God, is eternal. This means that the one who speaks on our behalf before God the Father has no end. Thus, there is no end to the grace, forgiveness, and connection with God that we all desperately need in order to enjoy relationship with God the Father.*
Can sympathize with our weaknesses by being tempted as we are: In the Old Testament Jewish structure, the High Priest of the Temple was seen as someone separate. Up until Jesus, the piety of the High Priest and his perfection was measured by an elimination of emotions and sympathy.* Jesus came as the Great High Priest endured the maximum of temptation, and offered emotion and sympathy to us all.* He understands whatever difficulty we go through.* Who can understand all that we can go through? How many times have we felt that no one understands our temptation, struggle, or pain? Only God can achieve the level of sympathy that understands and cares for all people and in every way.*
Is without sin: Jesus overcame. He did not succumb to the universal and timeless temptations of hatred, murder, greed, dishonesty, and lust.* When is our experience of temptation greatest? Right before we give into it.* Jesus never gave into it, therefore He experienced temptation at its absolute pinnacle.* He experienced higher levels of temptation than we ever have or will. This victory over temptation and sin allows Him to be the ultimate substitutional and purifying sacrifice for us.*
All of this was done that we might approach God boldly.
It should blow our minds that the Great High Priest, who actually sympathizes with us (though tradition says He shouldn’t), actually went to the holiest place of all (heaven), eternally set things right for us with God by overcoming all of the temptations that we have experienced including natural weariness, disappointment, the feeling of desertion, and shrinking from pain.* It should blow our minds that we can now approach God boldly! It should blow our minds, so why doesn’t it blow our minds? Why doesn’t it bring us comfort?
It’s easy to hear that Jesus understands and that He was perfect and that He paid the price for our sin so that we can have relationship with God and think, “oh, I’ve heard all of that before.” It’s easy to hear these things and fail to appreciate how incredible it is that we are not stuck in a cycle of temporary patchwork for the covering of our sins.
Let this sink in today: Jesus understands and Jesus did enough to heal, free, and save you so that you can walk right up to God and express your need for Him.
How hard is it for you to forgive the one who betrayed you? How hard is it for you to forgive the one who unexpectedly cut you so deeply? How hard is it for you to forgive the one who should have been there for you but went against you? How hard is it for you to forgive the one who you trusted but proved unworthy of trust? How hard is it for you to forgive yourself?
Jesus gets it.
Jesus forgave.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to remember that Jesus understands and cares. Perhaps today God wants you to reflect afresh on the incredible work that Jesus did. Maybe today God wants you to do the thing you thought impossible (overcome temptation or forgive) by following the Christ who has made a way. Perhaps today God wants you to boldly approach Him.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Stedman, R. C. (1992). Hebrews (Heb 4:14-16). IVP Academic.
Grindheim, S. (2023). The Letter to the Hebrews (D. A. Carson, Ed.; pp. 263–271). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
France, R. T. (2006). Hebrews. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 72–73). Zondervan.
Guthrie, G. (1998). Hebrews (p. 173–180). Zondervan Publishing House.