College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Hebrews 4:14-16
PART TWO
The superiority of Christ as High Priest. Hebrews 4:14 to Hebrews 10:39.
I.
Purpose of and His fitness for the priesthood. Hebrews 4:14 to Hebrews 5:10.
A.
The fact of Christ's priesthood stated, an appeal to the reader. Hebrews 4:14-16.
1.
Because of His greatness, Let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:14.
Text
Hebrews 4:14 Having then a great High Priest, Who hath passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not a High Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but One that hath been in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin, Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore draw near with boldness unto the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy, and may find grace to help us in time of need.
Paraphrase
Hebrews 4:14 Now the unbelieving Jews, on pretense that the Gospel hath neither an high-priest nor any sacrifice for sin, urge you to return to Judaism: but as we have a great High Priest, who hath passed through the visible heavens into the true habitation of God, Chap. Hebrews 9:11-12 there to officiate for us, even Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our religion.
Hebrews 4:15 To this constancy we Christians are encouraged by the character of our High Priest: For, though He be the Son of God, we have not in Him an High Priest Who cannot sympathize with us in our weaknesses, but One most compassionate, Who, being made flesh, was tempted in all points as far as the likeness of His nature to ours would admit, yet never committed any sin.
Hebrews 4:16 Let us, therefore, through His mediation as our High Priest, approach with boldness to the throne of grace on which God is seated to hear our addresses, that we may receive pardon; and, when tempted or persecuted, obtain the gracious assistance of His Spirit to help us seasonably in such times of distress.
Comment
Having then a great High Priest
Christ has two relationships, enabling man to come to God through Him:
a.
An Apostle sent to teach, cf. Hebrews 3:1.
b.
A Priest:
1.
This Priest has proven His character by His teaching.
2.
This Priest has proven His love by His death.
3.
This Priest has proven His superiority by passing through the heavens.
Christ's high priesthood met the argument of the critical Jew:
a.
They could not say, You have no tabernacle, no sacrifice, no city, no high priest. We have indeed !
b.
The title high priest occurs first in Leviticus 21:10 :
1.
There it is used to designate Aaron and his successors.
2.
We have a High Priest in heaven itself, not in an earthly tabernacle.
Who hath passed through the heavens
Only Christ has done this:
a.
He lived in heaven, and passed through the heavens to earth.
1.
2.
1 Corinthians 10:4: they (the Israelites) drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the Rock was Christ.
b.
He lived on earth, and then passed through the heavens to heaven:
1.
Ascension: Acts 1:9.
2.
Stephen: Acts 7:56.
3.
Peter Acts 2:34-36: seated.
c.
He now works in heaven, and will pass again from heaven:
1.
2.
Acts 1:11: Jesusshall so come in like manner as ye beheld him going into heaven.
The Jewish high priest could pass only into the holy of holies on the great day of Atonement:
a.
We have one who passed through the veil of skies.
b.
Hebrews 8:1-2 is very good: sanctuary which the Lord pitched.
Jesus the Son of God
This identifies our High Priest. He is not of the lineage of Aaron, but of the house of God.
let us hold fast our confession
Matthew 10:32: Our confession is in a Person: That confession gives us a profession.
a.
It is a work of evangelism:
1.
We are saved to serve.
2.
We are won to win.
3.
We were told to tell.
b.
It is a way of life:
To renounce Christ is to seal our condemnation: Hebrews 6:4-6; Acts 4:12: In none other is there salvation.
2.
Because of His human experience, let us draw near. Hebrews 4:15-16.
For we have not a high priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.
He is a sympathetic, compassionate High Priest, who can be touched with our feelings. Hebrews 2:17: Wherefore it behooved Him in all things to me made unto His brethren.
He is successful as a High Priest:
a.
Jesus stands by us in temptation. Revelation 3:10.
b.
His sacrifice is complete. Hebrews 9:26: But now once at the end of the ages hath He been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
our infirmities
Infirmities is a word that may be taken in various senses:
a.
2 Corinthians 12:10 suggests what might be included.
b.
Probably the feeling of the soul should be included, such as fear, sorrow, dread of death.
Since He was made in the likeness of our sinful flesh, we know that he knows our feelings.
but one that hath been in all points tempted as we are
Christ's threefold temptation gives us the major threats of the devil:
a.
Foodsatisfy the physical.
b.
Pinnacle of templeto extend the mercy of God to selfishness.
c.
Kingdomlust for powerrulership.
yet without sin
Describe your mother and her virtues, but you can-'t use this expression.
Other verses tell us that He was perfect:
a.
2 Corinthians 5:21: Him who knew no sin, He made to be sin on our behalf that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
b.
1 John 3:5: And ye know that He was manifested to take away sins; and in Him is no sin.
Jesus was tempted without falling into sin, but this is not true of any other.
Let us therefore draw near with boldness
Because of the kind of High Priest we have, we should have courage to approach Him:
a.
He is not a medicine man to Whom we have to bow and feel like a helpless creature.
b.
Because of His love, we should come without hesitation.
c.
His experience with this life gives us encouragement. Boldness here is not brazen, but confident.
unto the throne of grace
The history of the throne of grace is interesting:
a.
The ark was a symbol of God's grace. Jeremiah 3:16.
1.
The lid was sprinkled with blood once a year. Leviticus 16:14-15.
2.
Here was the mercy seat. Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 7:89; Exodus 25:22.
3.
Now we approach God through Jesus Christ Who sits at His right hand.
The throne of mercy is God'S, but Christ is our access to God. Ephesians 2:18.
that we may receive mercy
We have to make the approach, for God has done His share:
a.
We must not be cast down with a sense of misery.
b.
Since all have sinned and fallen short of God's grace, we need grace and mercy. Only God gives mercy:
a.
The devil gives death, not life, and beyond this, he makes people unmerciful.
1.
Hitler listened to no pleas of men.
2.
Men possessed of the devil are unkind, unforgiving. God has mercy only for those who merit it:
a.
Look at these verses:
1)
Hebrews 10:27: fearful expectation of judgment.
Hebrews 10:31: a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
b.
If we fail to come to God for mercy, we should not expect it in the judgment.
and may find grace to help us
Observe why Christ can give us help which is superior to that of the priest of the old covenant:
a.
The priest under the old system had to make atonement for his own sins. Hebrews 5:2-3; Hebrews 7:26-28; Hebrews 9:7.
b.
They were after the order of Aaron. Hebrews 7:11; Hebrews 7:11-17; Hebrews 8:4-5.
c.
The old was made without an oath. Hebrews 7:20-22.
d.
Theirs was temporary. Hebrews 7:23-24.
e.
They offered oftentimes the same kind of sacrifices. Hebrews 9:25-26.
Hebrews 9:28; Hebrews 10:11-12. Hebrews 10:14.
f.
They entered into the holy of holies every year, Hebrews 9:7-12.
g.
Christ lives to make intercession, Hebrews 7:25.
in time of need
Three great needs of man in the spiritual realm:
a.
We are in need when saddened. John 14:1-4.
b.
We are in need when tempted. 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18.
c.
We are in need at death, Psalms 23.
Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount said God would also care for our physical needs.
SummaryExhortation
1.
There is a throne of grace where God and man may meet.
2.
The mercy place has the atoning blood of the Lamb of God.
3.
We must come by faith. Faith and action must be mixed.
4.
We may approach in boldness, confidence.
5.
God still dwells with His people.
Summary - Warning
1.
Faithfulness forfeited is a forfeit of eternal rest.
2.
We cannot trifle with God's words, We must act today.
3.
The great aim of life is to labor for the rest.
Study Questions
656.
Christ is earlier described as an apostle. Where is He here?
657.
What is the difference between the two works?
658.
What has Christ done to prove that He is a great high priest?
659.
When was the title of high priest first used? See Leviticus 21:10.
660.
What has Christ done that no other priest could do as far as the heavens are concerned?
661.
What time of passing through is referred to here?
662.
When will He pass through again?
663.
What would the heavens be in type in relationship to the old system?
664.
With what term does Paul identify our High Priest?
665.
Since this is all true, what exhortation does he have for us?
666.
What is our confession?
667.
What do we confess concerning this Person?
668.
Does this confession amount to a profession?
669.
What can be said of our High Priest as far as sympathy is concerned?
670.
How does this verse compare with Hebrews 2:17?
671.
What does the word infirmity mean?
672.
Discuss Paul's bearing of infirmities, 2 Corinthians 12:10.
673.
What is meant by touched with the feeling of our infirmities?
674.
Do pain, sorrow, suffering help one to be understanding of others?
675.
Is God able to be more sympathetic since Christ lived in the flesh?
676.
What three categories of temptation did Jesus face?
677.
How were the three so all-inclusive?
678.
Was He tempted at other times?
679.
Can you describe the most beautiful character whom you know with the expression without sin?
680.
Is this a teaching limited to this verse? Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 3:5.
681.
Have you noticed that with the great exaltation of Christ there is an exhortation to man? What is it in Hebrews 4:16?
682.
Do heathen people come boldly to their priests?
683.
Does boldness allow brazenness and presumption?
684.
What is meant by boldness?
685.
What was the place of mercy in times past? Cf. Jeremiah 3:16; Leviticus 16:2; Leviticus 16:14-15.
686.
What is our throne of grace? Cf. Ephesians 2:18.
687.
What do we receive when we approach the mercy seat?
688.
For whom does God have mercy?
689.
Is God always merciful? Cf. Hebrews 10:27; Hebrews 10:31.
690.
If we do not come to His mercy seat now, should we expect it at the judgment?
691.
What is the purpose of grace which we may find there?
692.
Could the Old Testament priest help?
693.
When is man in need? What are his problems?
694.
Is Christ able to help?