Week 19, Day 2: Our High Priest

Today’s Reading:  Hebrews 5:1-6:20

Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…

At the end of Hebrews 4, the inspired writer tells us a little bit about our “High Priest.”  Much of the book of Hebrews reflects on the Old Testament covenant, and shows how the New Covenant is much better than the Old.  In Hebrews 4:14-16, we can see why the High Priest in the New Covenant is much better than the High Priest in the Old Covenant.  The High Priests of old had great limitations.  They were sinful men, who had to first offer a sacrifice for their own sins before they could offer a sacrifice for the people.  But, the new High Priest is Jesus, who was sinless.  But, being sinless did not mean that He was oblivious to our needs.  He was tempted in “all points” just as we are.  He faced the same kind of temptations and trials (to an even greater extent than we ever will!) and did not sin.  He knows what we face and how hard it is for us.  He knows our struggles, and because He knows He can help!  He is the “great High Priest” who has passed through the heavens.  And, if we understand just how great He is as our High Priest, it should encourage us to “hold fast our confession.”  After all, how could we give up on one who has done so much for us?

Because Jesus understands what we have to go through, we can have confidence to go to God boldly in prayer.  We can approach His throne of grace and obtain mercy and grace to help us in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16).  One of the greatest spiritual blessings that we have is the ability to talk to God, and ask for help in times of need.  If we have true faith in Him, it is not hard to turn to Him when we have needs in our lives, whether it be struggling with the matters of life (financial issues and such) or whether we are struggling with trials or temptations that constantly attack us.  Knowing that Jesus has faced what we have to face should make us more willing to go to Him and ask for help in our struggles.

Our High Priest will indeed help us.  Speaking to God and asking for help is not an exercise in futility.  He is active today, and He will help us if we are willing to rely upon Him, ask according to His will, and ask with faith, nothing doubting (James 1:6).  Don’t ever forget to use the avenue of prayer that God has opened up to us, so that we can have the full comfort offered by Him, and use all of the spiritual tools and blessings that he has made available to us! (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

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