Hope from Hebrews #9 - Our Great High Priest

Text: Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Thesis: To see Jesus as our great high priest and to encourage us to be true to Him.

Introduction:

(1) As with Moses (the great prophet), Jesus (the greatest) is superior to Aaron (the great priest).

(2) Let us discuss our great high priest:

Discussion:

I. How is Jesus a great high priest?

A. He was selected by God.

1. OT priests were selected by God.

a. E.g., tribe of Levi

b. Disaster awaited those who attempted to become priests without God’s selection (e.g., Korah [Num. 16:16ff.]; Saul [1 Sam. 13:8ff.]; Uzziah [2 Chron. 26:16ff.]).

2. Jesus was/is God’s son and priest in the order of Melchizedek.

a. Royal office (i.e., Son) was prophesied in Psalm 2:7.

b. Priestly office was prophesied in Psalm 110:4.

(1) Both king and priest

(2) Without ending or beginning

B. He walked in our shoes.

1. He knew temptation.

2. He knew suffering.

C. He offered a sacrifice for sins.

1. OT priests offered sacrifices for their own sins and the sins of the people over and over again.

2. Jesus offered His own sinless life as a sacrifice for our sins once upon the cross of Calvary.

II. What does is mean to have a great high priest?

A. We may approach the throne of grace with confidence.

1. Because of Jesus, the veil is removed and all priests (i.e., Christians [1 Pet. 2:5, 9] now have access to the Holy of Holies (i.e., Heaven).

2. The confidence that we may have is because of Jesus and not in self.

B. We may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1. “Mercy means that God does not give us what we deserve; grace means that He gives us what we do not deserve” (Wiersbe 2:291).

2. These blessings will be there each and every time that we need them and approach God for them.

Conclusion:

(1) Therefore, let us hold firmly onto Jesus.

(2) Are you allowing Jesus to be your great high priest today?