Christ Intercedes

Hebrews 4:15–16 NASB 95

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The previous lesson presented the reality of sin and redemption. Christ paid the price for our salvation that we might have His righteousness credited to our account. Christ’s work on the cross is complete. There is no further work that needs to be completed in order to secure our salvation. But the cross was just the beginning of the Christ’s work on our behalf. He is our great high priest seated in Heaven interceding for us before the Father.

Some believers are unaware of Christ’s work as their great high priest. Consequently, their spiritual lives are deficient and weak. The book of Hebrews expounds on the high priestly ministry of Jesus. It is the Scripture focus for this lesson.

I. Our Great High Priest is Able to Help Us

He is Merciful

Hebrews 5:1 NASB 95

For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins;

This verse gives the requirement that priests be taken from among men. So, Jesus needed to become a human in order to serve as the great high priest for humanity.

Jesus is indeed made “like His brethren in all things” (Heb 2:17). He is lacking nothing that would make Him less than human. The phrase “in all things” underscores the completeness of Jesus’ humanity. Jesus’ humanity, then allow Him to be a “merciful … high priest.”

As a merciful priest, Jesus understands humans fully. He experienced the full range of temptation and suffering that humans experience, though His experience was far more intense than any other person’s experience. The temptation and suffering He faced as He approached the cross could never be equaled.

Read: Luke 22:39-44

Luke 22:39–44 NASB 95

And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

Ask: Describe the intense temptation Jesus endured as He faced the cross.

Answer: An angel came to minister to Him and strengthen Him as He prayed. His sweat was mingled with blood, a sign of extreme emotional and physical taxing.

Because of His personal identification with suffering and temptation, Jesus responds compassionately to believers who ask for help. Look at

Hebrews 2:18 (NASB 95)

For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.

The term translated “come to the aid” in the NASB, or “succour” in the KJV comes from two root words meaning “a cry” and “to run.” It conveys the idea of running to aid at the sound of a cry. A parent dropping everything to run to his child at the sound of the child’s cry is the picture.

Ask: How does the illustration of a parent running to the aid of a child help you understand the mercy with which Jesus intercedes for you?

The work of removing our sin by Christ’s work on the cross gives us access to the Father in the first place. So, Christ removed our sin and now stands a our tender, merciful intercessor before the Father.

He is Faithful

While “merciful” describes Jesus’ intercession on our behalf, “faithful” describes His work in relation to the Father. Jesus was faithful in His obedience to the Father in atoning for our sins. As a result, He is able to be faithful in His mercifulness toward us. He will never stop being merciful. “Faithful” is the key word to describe God in the Old Testament, as we saw in lessons 2 and 3. And it is the appropriate word to describe God the Son’s intercessory ministry today.

II. Our Great High Priest Provides Acces to the Father