“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens—Jesus, the Son of God—let us hold fast our profession. . .Let us, therefore, come boldly unto the Throne of Grace that we may obtain Mercy and find Grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14, 16
One involves “clinging to;” the other is a “coming unto.”
Faith’s “focus.”
That’s part of the message being conveyed in our anonymous author’s words of “seeing then that we have a great High Priest that is passed into the heavens.” No longer do we need to worry about who’s our pastor or priest. . .if he knows us or understands what we’re going through. . .or if he’ll always be there when we need him.
Not when “Jesus, the Son of God, is our great High Priest!” Hallelujah!!
In Old and New Testament days there were numerous Aaronic priests and Levites who oversaw the affairs of the Tabernacle and Temple. But, there was only one High Priest Who could enter into the “Holy of Holies” once per year on the Day of Atonement. And, even though he would perform his tasks quite faithfully, he still was human and would die. Then, a new one would have to be selected.
But, not so with our “great High Priest.”
He, too, died. But, praise the Lord, He was raised from the dead by the mighty Hand of God, never to die again. Truly, He was “ONCE offered to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28a) and it’s “through the offering of His Body ONCE FOR ALL through ONE sacrifice for sins FOREVER” (Heb. 10:10, 12) that we’re redeemed from the guilt of sin and “curse of the Law” (Gal. 3:10, 13). Glory!!
And, never forget that “Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the True; but into HEAVEN ITSELF, now to appear in the Presence of God for us” (Heb. 9:24). Again, Hallelujah!!
Because of this, we should “hold fast (Grk. ‘krateo’—‘use strength, cling to, retain, seize, keep firm, etc.’) our profession”—i.e., “not lose hope or give up the faith”—but should “hold fast the confidence and rejoicing of the Hope firm unto the end” (Heb. 3:6b; 10:23). Or, as Winston Churchhill put it in his shortest speech before school children during WWII, “Never, never, never give up!!”
Likewise, we should also “come boldly (Grk. ‘parrhesia’—‘all out-spokenness, frankness, confident assurance, plainness, etc.’) unto the Throne of Grace.” As adopted children of the Heavenly Father, He’s given us a standing invitation to draw near to Him anytime there’s a need (Heb. 10:19-20). This boldness should not be confused with “fleshly brashness,” which is rooted in pride and self-confidence; however, “with a true heart in full assurance of faith that’s been cleansed from an evil conscience by His Blood” (Heb. 10:22; 9:14) we draw near, confident that He will hear and answer our prayers. And, in so doing, we discover what we need are “His Mercy (not receiving what we deserve) and Grace (receiving what we don’t deserve),” which are sufficient in every way. Thank You, Lord Jesus.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated January 24, 2011