Hebrews 10:21

‘And having a great priest over the house of God,'

The second consequence of what He has done is that we have a ‘great priest' over the house of God. Note that He is called ‘a great priest' not ‘a High Priest'. There is an emphasis here on His true greatness. He is a super-priest. (While ‘great priest' was an alternative for ‘High Priest', there must be some reason for the writer's change of term). And it is we who are the house of God (Hebrews 3:6). Thus is He our great priest, active in intercession for us with regard to all our spiritual needs (Hebrews 3:18; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 5:9; Hebrews 7:25). Thus there is not only free entry, but also the guarantee of a great and successful Mediator and Intercessor as we approach, Who can meet all our needs. That has been the essence of much of what he has already said (Hebrews 2:17; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 5:9; Hebrews 6:20; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 9:11).

The result of ‘having' this wondrous open way into God's presence, and having this great Priest to act for us in all things, is a series of exhortations. The combination gives us great advantages and puts us under great obligations. Let us take full advantage of the advantages and ensure that we fulfil the obligations. They are as follows:

· ‘Let us draw near'. We are to live and walk in God's presence, having ready access to Him through faith and the shedding of His blood.

· ‘Let us hold fast.' We are to declare to all that we are in God's presence, and our confident hope of one day knowing His presence even more fully.

· ‘Let us consider one another.' We are to ensure that we all walk together as in His presence, having a true concern for one another.