Context No. 3897 of 4322 · Hebrews

Hebrews 4:6-16: in context

6Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7he again defines a certain day, “today”, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said), “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” 8For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from his. 11Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience. 12For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and is able to discern the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13There is no creature that is hidden from his sight, but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him to whom we must give an account. 14Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.

After urging his readers not to harden their hearts but to enter God's rest, the writer of Hebrews turns to the great high priest we have in Jesus, and the confidence he gives us. We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, he says, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Jesus, our high priest, knows our struggles from the inside; he has faced temptation and weakness himself. And because of this, we are invited to draw near: let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Two things stand out. Jesus understands us. He is not a distant, unfeeling high priest but one who has shared our human weakness and temptation, and so meets us with sympathy. And we are invited to come boldly. Because of who our high priest is, we can approach God's throne not with dread but with confidence, sure of finding mercy and timely help. When we are weak, tempted, or in need, we do not have to hide from God; we can draw near, for our high priest understands, and the throne we approach is a throne of grace.

When I am weak, tempted, or in need, do I draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, trusting in a high priest who understands my struggles and meets me there with mercy and help?

Sources

Hebrews 4:15: "We don't have a high priest who can't be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin."
Hebrews 4:16: "Let's therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need."
Hebrews 4:12: "For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword."