Continuing with the same passage as the previous article, let’s consider what else it has to say about Jesus being our high priest.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 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.
Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/heb.4.14-16.NIV
Consider the “therefore” in verse 14: Because God’s word and His sight reveal the truth about our hearts (see Hebrews 4:12-13, for instance), therefore we need a high priest to atone for our sins and to intercede for us with God the Father. We might pretend to be good in front of other people, but God knows what we really think and do.
In that light, we really need someone “in our corner” and Jesus fills that role perfectly. He’s is aware of – and familiar with – what we’re going through. However, He is also with God the Father, where He can intercede for us (i.e., speaking up for us and serving as a “go-between” for us and God the Father). Furthermore, unlike the high priests’ of the Old Testament’s once-per-year offering on the Day of Atonement, Jesus is with God the Father all the time.
However, our part in all of this is to believe, with the healthy kind of belief that doesn’t waver over time, and that results in obedience:
- We should believe that God is who He says He is: holy, perfectly righteous, perfectly just (fair), and perfectly loving
- We should believe that Jesus died for all of our sins, and that we can trust that sacrifice as being enough to restore our relationship with God
- We should believe that Jesus continues to advocate for us with God the Father, affirming that we are His, and that His sacrifice covers our sinful choices.
Hebrews 5 talks more about what a high priest did for the Israelites, and how that compares with what Jesus does as High Priest for His followers. Looking at verse 16 of Hebrews 4, though, let’s ask ourselves some related questions to see if we really meet God with confidence:
- Do I believe that when I pray in Jesus’ name that He is literally advocating on my behalf to God the Father?
- Do I believe that the prayer of a righteous person is effective (see James 5:13-16)?
- Do I believe that I am made righteous – I am justified – through Jesus’ sacrifice on my behalf?
- Do I believe – like Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 1 – that (in my paraphrase) Jesus can guard my very soul for the day when it will be judged?
We each have needs that only God can help with, but when we have a need and bring it to Him, do we expect His mercy and His grace (i.e., not being punished for what we deserve; and, receiving blessings we never earned)? If you and I have trouble affirming that we have this level of confidence, let’s not despair. Instead, let’s simply ask God to “Help my unbelief!” (see Mark 9:24), and then allow God to do exactly that.
And, with God’s help, let’s remain strong in our belief of the truth:
- God is who He says He is: perfectly holy, perfectly righteous, perfectly just / fair, and perfectly loving
- Jesus died for all of our sins, and we can trust that sacrifice as being enough to restore our relationship with God
- Jesus continues to advocate for us with God the Father, affirming that we are His, and that His sacrifice covers our sinful choices.
A faith in those truths is a faith worth holding onto!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for February 8, 2026
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- The College Press NIV Commentary – Hebrews, by Jim Girdwood and Peter Verkruyse. © 1997 College Press Publishing Co.
