14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:15-16
Six truths about Jesus:
- He is human – Jesus
- He is God – Son of God
- He accomplished His mission – passed through the Heavens
- He identifies – He can sympathize
- He is experienced so His sympathy is real – tempted as we are
- He is sinless – yet without sin
Each of the last four relate to the first two and show us why He is a perfectly sufficient Savior.
He was without sin – perfect God.
But He was with flesh and blood – perfect man.
He was just like us in flesh and blood and so He was able to take our place.
He was unlike us in that He was sinless and so He was worthy to take our place.
And this means that we now have a compassionate High Priest, one who cares for us with the greatest compassion and who both intercedes for us when we sin and prays for us in our need.
Now the One who has all authority – the one who is seated at the right hand of God — is also the one who sympathizes with us.
That is the point of Hebrews.
The one who has all power also has all pity.
The one who has all control also has all compassion.
The one who is coming as Judge has already come as Savior.
He lived sinlessly.
He died savingly.
He lives again sympathetically.
Therefore go to Him at all times and trust in Him with all our soul!
Three Application Questions —
How will that change your strength in temptation today?
How will that change your endurance of persecution and affliction?
How will that change your prayer life?