Say, I Know this Great High Priest….

As a Christian, do you feel something is missing or incomplete? Are you willing to admit that the modern version of Christianity appears impotent to address the multiple complications people are grappling with? Have you privately, but officially, concluded that ‘faith’ and ‘trusting God’ seems a bit trite? After all, real problems require viable solutions…right? Yes, these are rather intrusive questions, but if you answered ‘yes’ to any or all of them, then the rest of this article is for you. What I really want to do is introduce you to an expert in your very area of concern. Without any exaggeration, he truly understands and can give viable help. Literally millions claim he has made all the difference for them. First, let me tell you about him….

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 (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Hebrews 4:14-16, invites our attention to the reality that Jesus Christ is the believer’s “Great High Priest.” It is imperative that He arrests our attention in order that He may secure our confidence. He is far superior to all the Old and New Testament priests and orders! Furthermore, no modern priest can even remotely compare to Him. Also this biblical paragraph concludes with an invitation to approach the “Throne of Grace” to “find grace to help in time of need.” In some respects we are quite aware of numerous private needs. Others sense deep within that something is not quite right…their Christian experience is so grossly incomplete that they are spiritually crippled. Too many are oblivious to exactly what it is. They just know that something is missing…something invaluable and vital…there must be more…. Whether we identify it or not, the needs still persist as a longing for relief in the soul. A heavy conscience together with multiple failures is breeding regrets, enslavements, and more disappoint in our minds. Feeling ill equipped, an inner weakness persists and we have come to believe that this is just the way it is. Some have grown bitter because of disillusionment with God.  Apparently, He routinely disregarded their expectations, but He constantly asserts His own. There appears to be little hope or no prospect of change for something better on this side of eternity. We just need to endure to the end…right?

Although this line of thinking has become normal, it is still blatantly abnormal in God redemptive economy. In our text, Christ Jesus is portrayed as our “Great High Priest”—God’s answer to our pronounced spiritual needs as Believers. Yes, Christ occupies an office and position that enables Him to pray for—intercede (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:34), service, advocate for—defend, minister to, represent, and perennially compensate for us throughout our lives. As our Priest, He sacrificed Himself (Heb. 9:26; 7:27; 9:12) for our sins to sanctify us unto God forever (Heb. 9:24). Christ simultaneously provides all these blessings for all Believers all the time! His work is so comprehensive that He actually eliminates the need for any other high priests for this entire age (Heb. 6:19-20; 10:19-22). But, what spiritual needs are so great that we Christians require this tremendous provision? Certainly it is logical to assume this God-given provision is proportionate to the deficiencies we feel deeply and admittedly yearn for in our honest private moments. If Christ is great in this context, it must be partly because He definitely addresses a tremendous inadequacy in Believers’ experiences.

This observation then raises several pertinent questions. As believers, what is our great need? What is the greatness of Christ, our Priest? How can we personally realize His greatness? What are our obligations in the light of this provision? It is needful at this point to consider each of these separately.

What Is the Christian’s Great Need?

Earlier in Hebrews chapter four the author addressed repeatedly the need for “rest” and the requirement to enter into spiritual rest (Heb. 4:1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, and 11). He assures us there is still a “rest” for the people of God and through faith it can be realized. The need here is for spiritual peace, assurance, and tranquility of soul based on confidence in the finished work of Christ and His current role as High Priest. The promised “rest” answers the longing of the soul for abiding inner peace. Peace is part of what is missing.

Then according to verse fourteen there is an urgent need to “hold fast our profession.” As Believers we must steadfastly confess Christ while resisting all temptations to disown, renounce or deny Him in order to avoid some form of discrimination. Expediency, convenience, and self-preservation are powerful impulses, especially to our generation. Still our prescribed response is commitment, courage, and loyalty to Christ above all else. Yes, Christ must be preeminent. Faithfulness and allegiance to Him in the form of an unblemished profession of faith in our Savior and High Priest is the acceptable recourse.

Accordingly, in verse sixteen there is a “time of need” in which we can “find grace to help.” Life’s unscheduled trials, alluring temptations, and hard circumstances are the issues that constitute our times of need. These apply tremendous pressure and generate extraordinary tension in our personal and collaborative experiences. God graciously obligates Himself to supply strengthening and empowering grace to cope with these often perplexing challenges. Bear in mind that grace does not mean God will give explanations, answers, or reasons; He promises strength to handle what we are facing as we are facing it (2Cor. 12:9). Not a moment too soon and not an ounce more than required, but completely adequate and sufficient. The word “help” (Heb. 4:16) conveys something of God’s paternal loving response to the cries of His beloved children. He actually hastens to our aid with the urgency of a good mother responding to her endangered child’s squeals for help. This is a huge help to us if we have ever wondered if God really cares! 

So what is the great need of Christians? Because Christians are sinners saved by grace, we still have a frightening capacity to sin. To heighten our complications, we are weak, vulnerable, crippled, tempted, anxious, conflicted within, and hazarded. We often sense deep within our inner most self the need for supernatural help and aid. God’s provision is a highly capable and understanding Priest interceding for us and affording assistance to us. Larry Richards (The Teacher’s Commentary) recognizing this need observed, “In the Old Testament the high priest was the man appointed to represent the people before God. He was the man who dealt with sins and weaknesses by offering the necessary sacrifices for sins (Heb. 5:3).” Hebrews 4:14, rightly affirms that in our Lord Jesus “we have a great High Priest.” Because He is both God and Man, He is the fully adequate link between us Believers and our holy Heavenly Father. So the Scriptures declare, “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (v. 16). Richards also recommended that when we fail and are gripped by the ensuing shame, or when we are overwhelmed and need help desperately, we are never to give up or quit on God. Since the Lord Jesus is human like us, He does understand us. And since the Lord Jesus is God like the Father, He is able to give 360 degree help to His people all the time.

In addition, it is important when we have heard the voice of God calling us to act, but still we feel inadequate, that we turn to Jesus our High Priest for help. It is our part to realize all that He is able to do in us and for us. Yes, we Christians need our Priest; not just any priest, but our “Great High Priest” providing assistance to us from Heaven and representing us before the very Presence of His Royal Majesty.