Hebrews 4:14-16

Hebrews 4:14-16
Seeing then that we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The Atonement in Christ

The author of Hebrews presents the atonement in Christ through our great high priest who has passed through the heavens. This profession must be held fast, as it is the one that can be walked away from.

Atonement encompasses more than just Christ's death; it includes His intercession. Christ entered the heavenly holy of Holies, where He lives to make intercession for us. This is deeply personal—Jesus bears our names before the Father, much like Aaron bore the names of Israel's sons in his breastpiece.

Exodus 28:29
Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel in the breastpiece of judgment over his heart when he enters the holy place, for a continual remembrance before the Lord.

This intercession signifies our union with Christ, conveying gospel blessings. It pacifies God's justice, balancing His love with His holiness. Christ's ascension also prepares a place for us.

John 14:1-6
Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places... I go to prepare a place for you... I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

This future focus comforts us amid earthly trials, pointing to eternal bliss in God's presence.

The Comfort in Christ

We have a high priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, having been tempted in every way like us, yet without sin. This sympathy arises from His full humanity—He partook of flesh and blood.

Christ's temptation mirrors the audience's trial: perseverance against apostasy. After His baptism, where God declared Him Son, the Spirit led Him into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1-4
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil... The tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” ... “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”

Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, linked to the manna that tested Israel's faith—relevant to the warning against apostasy from the wilderness wanderings.

Matthew 4:5-7
Then the devil took Him into the holy city... “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down...” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

This counters Israel's testing of God at Massah (Exodus 17, Psalm 95), tying directly to the warning passage.

Deuteronomy 6:16
You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah.

The final temptation offered worldly kingdoms for worship—idolatry, which Jesus rejected by quoting Deuteronomy 6:13. Christ endured the temptation to abandon His mission, succeeding where Israel failed. He sympathizes because He faced the same trial of authenticity in faith.

The Security in Christ

Hold fast the profession and come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. Under the Old Testament, approaching God boldly meant death; now, through Christ, we have full access.

This security comes from Christ's accomplished atonement and the Holy Spirit's work, producing confidence amid trials. Paul's thorn illustrates this:

2 Corinthians 12:7-9
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me... And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Focusing on God's grace brings victory over sin and endurance to persevere in our profession.