Christ is Our High Priest
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:14-15:6
Key Verse: Hebrews 4:14
So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.
A High Priest, in Bible times, was a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God.
Jesus came to be the final High Priest that we would ever need. It is Jesus that is in heaven now, seated on the right hand of God. The Bible tells us that He is there advocating for us: “My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous” (1 John 2:1).
The reason that Jesus is the only High Priest we will ever need is because “He understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do yet He did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15). It is hard for me to wrap my brain around the fact that Jesus felt all the weaknesses that I feel and see in my life. But I believe He did because the Word of God says He did and that settles it for me.
The Hebrew writer leads us to a logical conclusion, once we know and believe that Jesus is our advocate: “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most” (Hebrews 4:16).
Notice, first, how we are to come to God in prayer: BOLDLY!
Sometimes my failures and weaknesses make me timid and hesitant to ask God for anything. But by faith, I trust the fact that I can come to God in prayer boldly. We can do this not because we are worthy, but because Jesus is our advocate.
Second, we need to trust the fact that God is gracious, and we will receive mercy and grace to help us in our need.
Do you know anyone who is gracious? One definition of “gracious” is one who is courteous, kind, and pleasant. Is this how you see God when you get ready to pray? I hope so, but I fear that some see God as angry and unwilling to help people who fail Him. If you have felt that way, be sure to keep the verses in this devotion and read them over and over.
Let the facts of God’s Word overcome the lies of the evil one! The devil does not want you to be bold in your prayers. The devil loves it when one of God’s children is timid in their prayers. I know it’s not easy, but claim your boldness in Christ, and don’t give the devil a foothold in your life.
Father, I am so glad that you are a gracious God and want to help me with whatever I may be struggling with. I ask boldly for your help, in Jesus’s Name, amen.