Jesus Our Sympathizing Priest
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
TS: Jesus has been presented as superior to all: Angels, Humans and even Moses
Now, the author declares Him to be the greatest priest but then switches the narrative. Not only is He presented as the Great High Priest. Now we see He is sympathetic and merciful.
RS:
Sympathetic High Priest
Sympathetic High Priest
Heb 4:14-16
Since then 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 is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 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.
Great High Priest
Great High Priest
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.
Jesus, like the earthly priest, has passed through 3 areas:
earthly- courtyard, Holy Place, Most Holy Place)
Heavenly- atmosphere, stellar, and God's Abode
Paul discusses it here:
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter.
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—
Jesus entered heaven after making the perfect sacrifice
HIMSELF
Far better than the earthly priest
Day of Atonement- every year since it was temporary
Jesus has entered once for all
Superior Sacrifice
Superior Temple
Superior Priest
Since Jesus is the Greatest High Priest, His sacrifice is finished. It doesn’t wear out and need repeating like the earthly sacrifice offered by mere mortal men.
AP: Hold fast our confession
in light of our great and final priest we are to hold onto our confession.
Christ is the center of our confession of faith in the gospel.
Hold onto Him ‘Don’t loose faith.
Not speaking of getting or staying saved
This is telling us our perseverance demonstrates our genuine salvation.
Jesus is not only the Great High Priest and superior in every way, he is....
The Sympathetic Priest
The Sympathetic Priest
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
This builds on
Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Jesus was Tempted
He sympathizes with our weaknesses
He knows the lure of our apetities
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
He sympathizes with our weakness
He wore flesh and blood
He grew tired
He was tempted, tested, and tried
Jesus was Sinless
He was victorious!
He didn’t yield to temptation
He resisted the devil and took him down!
Jesus Can Help us
His power
His Example
When tempted He said no
He countered with Scripture
Thus says the Lord
We don’t have to wrestle with decisions of right and wrong
We don’t have to take a poll, consult advisors, check what is considered appropriate by the society in which we live.
Consult the Word!
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2 Tim 3:1
See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
Human reasoning is a poor substitute
Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.
Stand on the word
Stand by the word
Stand for the word\
Merciful Priest
Merciful Priest
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.
Jesus is far more than a Great Priest and a sympathizing priest.
He is merciful!
Most ancient ruler were unapproachable
Remember the story of Esther?
Although she was queen, she risked her life going into the King’s court without being called.
Only if he extended his scepter to her would mercy be shown and her life spared.
What a picture of Jesus!
Though King and Priest, He isn’t vengeful
He is merciful
Jesus laid out his sacrifice at the mercy seat, the throne of God.
From there, God dispenses grace.
Gives us blessings we don’t deserve
He is merciful
Withholding the judgment we do deserve
We can come with confidence before Him!
For mercy
For help
Why?
His nature!
By nature God is loving and merciful.
His justice demanded sacrifice and He took on flesh to pay it.
All who repent and trust Him find that mercy
He promises to help us through life here under the sun.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Jesus is the Great High Priest
He is a sympathetic Priest
He is a merciful priest.