The Perfect High Priest

In one of the books from The Chronicles of Narnia, written by C.S. Lewis, specifically The Silver Chair, we read of a very powerful scene that could have described the Jewish readers of this sermon of Hebrews. Many have praised this scene as the most inspiring in the series. After Eustace, his friend Jill, and their marsh-wiggle companion Puddleglum free Prince Rilian from his silver-chaired prison, they’re ready to return to Narnia — until the Queen of Underland, Rilian’s captor, arrives to bewitch them all.

She conjures a hypnotic fire and begins telling them that Narnia isn’t real, but all in their heads, and only her desolate underworld truly exists. Luckily, Puddleglum refuses to submit: he stamps out her fire and proclaims that even if they are making it up, he’d rather believe in Narnia than in whatever she’s trying to peddle.

The idea that a priest or any priest would be just as good as Jesus was and is, absolutely ludicrous. Those who would promote this are only trying to usurp power. Those who would be sucked into believing this are simply not truly understanding what it means to be a child of the King as a result of experiencing salvation through Jesus Christ.

In today’s section of Scripture, the writer presents the need for salvation in a more positive manner, rather than what we’ve been seeing previously, as he has been warning them of the dreadful consequences of not following Jesus alone. After all, aren’t we appreciative when we are warned of danger so as to not be condemned or destroyed? Yet, how much more so when we realize that when we make the right choice, not only are we saved from horrible condemnation, but we receive tremendous blessings and benefits?

Consider this, via a personal marriage illustration from my own life. I could have gotten married just to save myself from a life of loneliness. That would be a negative way of approaching marriage. That’s not necessarily bad, but not really a motivation to get married. However, when I considered the possibility that I would get to spend the rest of my earthly life with my wife and all the wonderful blessings and joys that accompany; folks, that is a sure-fire motivation for me to be married to my wife.

To be a follower of Jesus Christ carries so many blessings as He is the Perfect High Priest.

A Heavenly High Priest - 4.14

We look back to the Old Testament and remember that the first high priest was Aaron, Moses’ brother. Yet, we know that with the requirements of the priesthood, all the rituals and sacrifices and ceremonies were not able to cause a person to enter into that spiritual rest which we spoke of last time.

Sadly, the readers of this letter or sermon, whether they were actually believers or simply those who knew the gospel message, were tempted to go back to the ways of their ancestors hoping they could work their way into heaven. And it would make sense to most people, since it’s easier to believe that which can be seen and touched. Even in our time, when going through difficult times or even persecution, it is very tempting to walk by sight and not so much by faith.

So this verse begins discussing the superiority of Jesus high priestly ministry as being greater than that of Aaron and all who would come after him.

Hebrews 4:14 NASB95

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

The high priests of Israel were responsible to act as mediators between God and the nation of Israel. They were the privileged ones who were allowed to offer the most important sacrifice on the Day of Atonement. It was there that the high priest would symbolically present all the sins of the nation to the Holy of Holies, sprinkling the blood on the mercy seat. This was reserved only for the high priest. But he could do this only after he had offered a sacrifice for his own sins. Then, after the sacrifice was made on behalf of the people in the Holy of Holies, the high priest had to leave. However, every day between this special day, which took place once per year, sacrifices were continually being offered up, since there was no perfect sacrifice and no perfect high priest.

We know that Aaron was the first of the high priests, but we see an adjective ascribed to Jesus as a high priest that is given to nobody else. He is a great high priest. Why is this adjective used for Jesus priestly ministry?

We need to review some very basic truths about Jesus. He is not just man, nor is He just God. He is God and man. The writer also states Who this great high priest is. He is Jesus the Son of God. The name Jesus means Savior. It is also descriptive of what Jesus did while on earth and further reminds us of His humanity. Son of God reminds us that Jesus is God.

There is a phrase which stands out as unique which describes Jesus as having passed through the heavens. Jesus is no longer on earth. Jesus is not floating around in space. One commentator suggested this thought: When He ascended to the Father, Jesus Christ passed through the atmospheric heavens and the planetary heavens into the third heaven where God dwells. This idea of the third heaven is found in 2 Corinthians 12.2. Interestingly, with the Old Testament high priests, they would have to go through three areas before the blood could be offered. First was the door into the outer court, followed by going through another door into the Holy Place, then finally, through the veil into the Holy of Holies. Fascinating, don’t you think? Note also, that though the former high priests had to leave, Jesus does not have to leave, since His sacrifice was once for all, in its perfection.

A further encouragement we find as we consider that because Jesus Christ is our heavenly high priest, we don’t have to throw up our hands in despair when going through rough times. There is no need to think that our belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is not worth it. We don’t have to give up our public testimony when it feels that Jesus is not right there in the midst of the battle with us. The writer of Hebrews says to hold fast our confession. My friends, if we go back to the old ways, like the Hebrews were tempted to do, our testimony before a watching world loses its power. For those straddling the fence and not wanting to commit, continue to hear the voice in your heads which the writer has spoken many times, While it is still today.

A Sympathetic High Priest - 4.15

The author has already identified our great High Priest as the Son of God, and also as Jesus. In verse 15, we are able to more clearly see how that supernatural blending relates to us in His role as our Great High Priest.

Hebrews 4:15 NASB95

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.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were just totally frustrated, or mad, or hurt, and just needed to talk with someone about the problem? You find that you just want to vent. We can, with Jesus. I know that we make it a very clear and strong point that Jesus is God. Yet, I believe we need to also grasp the wonderful truth that Jesus is man. Why is this so important?

The Bible tells us that Jesus experienced everything which we’ve experienced. Jesus would have felt the pain of antagonism, unfriendliness, being ignored and misunderstood, hunger, frustration, and the list goes on forever. It is exactly these experiences that allow Jesus to sympathize with our weaknesses. Jesus understands what we’re going through in life. The Gospels show us in several situations the intensity of our Lord’s emotions. When in the presence of Lazarus’ sisters while he was in the tomb, the Bible tells us that Jesus wept, which shows an incredibly deep anguish of spirit. While Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, the Bible tells us that His emotions were so intense that He sweat drops of blood.

Consider also that Jesus is God and is experiencing all this as He is also fully man. Every one of us when faced with temptation, has a breaking point, since we are simply human. We can succumb to temptation or we can turn ourselves off, as it were, and walk away or whatever to avoid the temptation. Jesus could not. Since He was God and without sin, there were no limits on what Satan could do against him. And the Bible tells us that in spite of all the temptations and trials, He was yet without sin.

In addition, when one thinks back to how things were in the Old Testament, people did not usually experience a deep, meaningful, personal relationship with God. There was the mediator, the high priest. But now, Jesus is here for us as our Great High Priest. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, meaning that Jesus knows the reality of our tendency to sin. He knows it, but did not himself participate or succumb to sin. The verse says without sin, which shows a complete absence of sin. MacArthur says it well: Jesus Christ did not sin, could not sin, had no capacity to sin.

A Merciful and Gracious High Priest - 4.16

If all this is not enough to show that Jesus’ high priestly ministry is greater than the Levitical one, the writer shows that Jesus is on the throne of grace. In fact, as our Great High Priest, Jesus is able to help us in the most trying of times.

Hebrews 4:16 NASB95

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.

We know from this verse that this throne is the throne of grace. In the Old Testament, back in Exodus 25, we recall the mercy seat which was on the ark of the covenant. That was often referred to as God’s throne in Israel, even though God never physically sat down there. Where exactly was this? It was in the tent, behind the veil, which could be accessed one time per year by the high priest.

What’s so significant about this? After the cross and the resurrection, it was clear that there was no longer a veil, nor was God confined. Grace from our Lord is open, available and obvious to everyone who will choose to believe. Grace is not some mystery that is available one time per year. Grace is not something that is contingent upon a human high priest who is prone to sin just like we are.

Even today, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you and I are encouraged to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace. Other translations state to come boldly, approach the throne of grace with confidence. Whatever for, you may ask? To receive help in the form of mercy and grace. When can this be done? It used to be so simple knowing that on the Day of Atonement this was possible for the high priest on behalf of the people. However, because Jesus is the great high priest, this is available anytime, to help in time of need.

Mercy simply means that God does not give us what we deserve, which is punishment and death. Grace is that glorious work that lets us know that God gives us what we do not deserve, which is forgiveness and eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Could Aaron or any of his offspring do this for any of the Israelites or us? Not at all. Think about the significance of this. Today, if you and I find ourselves being tempted, we don’t have to run to the high priest for help. Plus, we certainly would not have had permission or the possibility of going into the Holy of Holies to converse with God for help. How fantastic is the fact that we can go to Jesus Christ anytime for help whenever there is a need of any sort?!?!

Ponderings

When Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70, there was nothing left of the Temple, much less the whole sacrificial system. Historically, there has been no need for a high priest to continue the sacrificial system. And any organization or group that suggests that we need to go back to a special priesthood of any sort to mediate between us and God is an absolute heresy. Jesus is all we need, for His work has been completely finished and He is the Perfect High Priest.

I like the fact that no matter how discouraged we might become; no matter how rough our lives may be because of persecution or whatever else it might be, we are encouraged to come boldly, draw near with confidence. We can do so knowing that though Jesus is the Son of God, He is also completely human without sin.

My friends, wherever you are listening to this, and wherever you are in your spiritual journey, let me assure you that no matter how terrible you may be or think you are, you can approach the throne of grace at any time and experience forgiveness for your sins and salvation for your soul. Jesus will turn nobody away who comes to Him with a repentant spirit. It is then, when you become a follower of Jesus Christ, you have been born again to life eternal.

To be a follower of Jesus Christ carries so many blessings as He is the Perfect High Priest.