Hebrews_4
Scripture Hebrews 4:12, 15-16 NIV- For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.....For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Observation-What does it say?
This chapter opens with entering God’s rest through the Sabbath, then speaks of the power of God’s Word and ends with how Jesus is our high priest, who understands every weakness and temptation we face because He experienced it Himself, yet remained sinless. Therefore, we must approach Him with confidence and enter His rest. It is only through His Word that we could find true rest. Jesus was the Word and the Word was God and was with God from the beginning (John 1:14). Jesus continues to intercede and fight on our behalf in order that we could have a relationship with God. As Paul has written, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Understanding-What does it mean?
Approach God’s throne of grace with confidence because He is our Ultimate High priest.
Please see this commentary from gotquestions.org regarding the role of a high priest. “The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month of every year. Only he was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to stand before God. Having made a sacrifice for himself and for the people, he then brought the blood into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled it on the mercy seat, God’s “throne” (Leviticus 16:14-15). He did this to make atonement for himself and the people for all their sins committed during the year just ended (Exodus 30:10). It is this particular service that is compared to the ministry of Jesus as our High Priest (Hebrews 9:1-28).” We have a high priest (Jesus) who not only intercedes on our behalf so that we could have a relationship with God, but who also understands every struggle and temptation we face, yet remained without sin. Why wouldn’t we run to Him?
Life Application
Run to Jesus. True rest is found in Him alone.
Thank You Jesus that You are a loving high priest, that You are the Word of God in the flesh and that we can come to You unashamed with any and everything we face for guidance, wisdom and instruction. Amen.
Please listen to this song “Come to Jesus” from Chris Rice. The message is about running to Jesus. https://youtu.be/PANiveIKVX0
-Michelle Gaddi