This article is the second in our series, The Book of Hebrews, and primarily focuses on chapter 4. 

The previous post talked about chapter 1, Jesus’ identity. Before delving into chapter 4, let me first help you get a sense of chapters 2 and 3. 

That way, you will see how these chapters build on each other. 

Chapter 1, as discussed in the first reflection in the series was about the truth that Jesus, being the heir of all things, is the exact imprint of who God is. 

In chapter 2, the author makes the argument that Jesus is the foundation for our salvation and that we have to take it seriously. 

Then, in chapter 3, he discusses the reality that Jesus is greater than Moses. He makes the point that Moses, the man most people credit to be the one who gave the Law (primarily the first 5 books in our current Bible – The Pentateuch), was faithful in the house of the Lord, but only a servant. 

Jesus, however, was faithful over God’s house as the Son of God. 

 

 

 

Jesus is the Great High Priest

 

 

 

The author now, in chapter 4, discusses the truth that Jesus is the great High Priest.

As you continue reading the Book of Hebrews, we will discover more about what being a priest entails when it comes to the Jewish tradition. 

For now, let’s focus only on chapter 4 and verses 14 through 16,

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.

 

 

Two Things That Made Jesus the Great High Priest

 

Even though we will learn more later about how priesthood worked in the Jewish context, let me point out two things that Jesus did, and no human could have never done for us. 

 

First, Jesus Passed Through The Heavens

Read verse 14, 

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.

As the above says it, Jesus passed through the heavens. 

Of course, there isn’t enough writing to describe what truly happened when Jesus passed through the heavens. 

But, we know, based on the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) that Jesus died and rose from the dead. 

His death and resurrection didn’t happen by accident. Jesus told the disciples about that. He had said that the Son of Man will be arrested, killed, and then will rise from the dead on the third day (See Luke 13:33; Matthew 16:21; Matthew 17:22; Mark 8:31). 

Humans can talk about their death, but, have no power to come back from the dead. 

[bctt tweet=”Jesus is was the only one (when he was here on earth as one of us) to predict his resurrection on the third day after death. Who can do that, if not the Christ? ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]

The author then encourages his readers to hold fast their confession.

Our confession is that Jesus Christ died and on the third day, he rose from the dead. It’s the foundation for our faith as Christians. 

 

 

Second, Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses

 

Read verses 15 and 16,

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.

 

The other thing that made Jesus our great High Priest is that he has also walked the path of every human being here on earth. 

In other words, he was tempted just as you and I are, and on a daily basis. But, Jesus never sinned, which points out the fact that He is God and the Son of God. 

In God, there is no sin. In God, there are no weaknesses.

 

[bctt tweet=”Jesus understands our sinfulness, brokenness, humanity, fears, weaknesses because he went through the entire human experience: from being born as a human baby to death in the most painful ways one can ever imagine. ” username=”emmanuelnaweji”]

 

I’d argue that being God, a being who is stronger than anything and anyone, death had no power on Jesus. Therefore, he was able to walk the path that comes after death.

To him, this path, which sin made a one-way path, he made it a two-way path. He did that to primarily open the Way to God, our Father. 

Now, we can draw near to the throne of grace, the place where no human was allowed before Christ came to us. 

As a result, 

• We now can receive mercy from God through faith in Christ. 
• We now find grace to help us in time of need. 

 

 

 

In Conclusion 

Jesus Christ is more powerful than anything or anyone, including sin and death. He walked the path no human could and, as a result, has granted access to the throne of grace. Through Christ, now, we can receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.