Who Is Jesus, Lesson 12: Our Great High Priest

Welcome to Authorized Sword Ministries. This is Lesson 12 in our series, Who Is Jesus? Today's lesson is called Our Great High Priest.

We're so glad you're here.

In Lesson 3 we stood at the cross with the Lamb of God. Today we follow the risen Christ into heaven. The work of the cross is finished, but the work of our High Priest is not over. He ever liveth to make intercession for us.

Our Key Verse

"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. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 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 (KJV)

Hold fast. Come boldly. We have a High Priest who feels our infirmities, and a throne that is called a throne of grace.

Made Like Unto His Brethren

The priests of the Old Testament were men, and they could understand the people because they were people. They also had to offer first for their own sins. Jesus is different, and yet He is not far away.

"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
— Hebrews 2:17 (KJV)

He was made like us. He was tempted in all points, yet without sin. He knows hunger, weariness, grief, and the pressure of temptation. He knows what it is to weep, as He wept with Mary and Martha. He knows what it is to be alone in a garden, and to be faithful unto death. No man or woman can say, "He cannot understand my case." He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

One Mediator, an Unchangeable Priesthood

"For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
— 1 Timothy 2:5 (KJV)

One God. One mediator. We do not need another go-between, whether a priest on earth, a saint in heaven, or a religious system. The man Christ Jesus stands between God and men, and that includes every man and every woman who will come.

And His priesthood does not end:

"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."
— Hebrews 7:24-25 (KJV)

"To the uttermost." All the way. All who come. He always lives, and He is always praying for His people. The writer of Hebrews sums it up:

"Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;"
— Hebrews 8:1 (KJV)

The right hand of the throne is the place of finished work and of ongoing care. The sacrifice has been offered once. The Priest remains.

Come Boldly

Because of this, you do not have to hang back. You do not have to wait until you feel worthy. The throne is a throne of grace. Mercy is for the guilty. Grace is for the needy. Time of need is any time, day or night, in the house or in the hospital, in the quiet or in the panic.

Come boldly. Not proudly. Boldly, because of Jesus.

A Simple Step for This Week

Memorize Hebrews 4:16. Each time you feel weak, sinful, or alone this week, pray that verse out loud, and then tell the Lord the need by name. Come as you are, and come more than once.

A Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are our great High Priest, passed into the heavens, touched with the feeling of our infirmities, able to save to the uttermost. Thank You that You ever live to make intercession for us. We come boldly to the throne of grace. Give us mercy, and give us grace to help in time of need. In Your name, amen.

Thank you for spending this time with us. This is Authorized Sword Ministries. God bless you.

Study Questions

1. What three things does Hebrews 4:14-16 tell us to do, because we have a great high priest?
2. How is Jesus able to be touched with the feeling of our infirmities?
3. According to Hebrews 2:17, why was He made like unto His brethren?
4. What does 1 Timothy 2:5 say about the number of mediators between God and men?
5. What does "unchangeable priesthood" mean in Hebrews 7:24?
6. How far is Jesus able to save those who come unto God by Him, according to Hebrews 7:25?
7. Where is our High Priest now, according to Hebrews 8:1?
8. What is the difference between coming proudly and coming boldly to the throne of grace?
9. Why does it matter that this invitation is for men and women alike?
10. What "time of need" will you bring to Him today?