Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
God has made His point. God’s Word is sure. He had much more to dictate for the book of Hebrews. However, He had already said all that was needed to encourage the saints to settle on believing in Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. There was no need to hesitate.
Notice here that we have a great high priest. We need that high priest who can go before the God of Creation and can plead our cause before Him. Jesus Christ did not take the blood of bulls or goats before the Father. He took His own blood. He paid the penalty for our sins. We can trust in Him as our Great High Priest and Saviour.
Jesus Christ is better. He is passed into the heavens. Jesus Christ did not die like Aaron. He did not die like Eli. He died and rose again and ascended back up to heaven where He came from. He is alive and He is Jesus the Son of God.
There is no need to waver in our faith in Him if we are saved. The nay sayers are many. They want us to follow some fictitious Jesus. Sadly, many are doing that. However, there is no need to do that. There is no benefit to doing that either. We need to believe in the true Jesus and we need to remain faithful to Him. Again, those who are saved, cannot lose their salvation. We can become carnal, but we cannot lose our salvation. God will not leave His child in a carnal state. He loves him too much for that. He also loves the lost too much to allow His child smear His holy name. Those who are saved can and must hold fast our profession.
In verse 15 we are reminded that our High Priest has been touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He was tempted in all points as we are. He hungered. He thirsted. He grew weary. However, He could not be broken. He showed us that we can be faithful. Our hope is in Him, not in ourselves. When we try to make it on our own, we fail miserably. When we trust in Him, He guides us and He provides the way of escape when we are tempted.
Jesus Christ was without sin. What a wonderful fact. He is able to save us because He is without sin. He demonstrated that it is possible to walk faithfully with God. The apostle Paul wrote:
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
That is a wonderful fact. The important factor to keep in mind is humility. Jesus Christ humbled Himself and was obedient even to death on the cross. He needed to do something that only He could do. He did it because He is God and He loves us.
In verse 16 we are encouraged to come boldly unto the throne of grace. Rather than try to make it on our own, let us run quickly to that throne of grace. That is if you are saved. That throne of grace is for the saved. That is who the “us” is in this verse. It is those who have come to rest in Jesus Christ. At that throne of grace we will find mercy. We obtain that mercy because we ask for it. We do not need to pay for it. We cannot pay for it. Jesus Christ paid for it. He offers it to those who trust in Him for salvation. Salvation is God’s gift to man. It cannot be earned. Growth cannot be earned either. It is something we obtain when we come boldly to that throne of grace. At that throne we will find grace to help in time of need.
That time is always. When we think we have made it and it is smooth sailing now, we are in trouble. We become careless and self-reliant. We need to draw nigh to God and trust in Him at all times. He is worthy.
Today is the Lord’s Day. It is the day that God has given us to set aside our busy schedules and to find a good church where we can fellowship with Him and with Jesus Christ and with fellow saints. It is also the place where lost people can come and witness the power of God at work in those who are saved. As they see that, God can also draw them into His fold.
If you are saved today, don’t miss that great opportunity God has given you to be fed good food and to help some poor sinner see the blessing of knowing this Great High Priest, Jesus the Son of God.
Pastor Bartel
