eeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession (Heb. 4:14). The author has demonstrated the greatness of Jesus through a number of comparisons so far in our study of this letter. As ruler of all things, Jesus is greater than the angels. As faithful Son over God's house, He is greater than Moses. As one who successfully leads us into God's rest He is greater than Joshua. Now as our High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus is shown to be greater than the Levitical priests who serve on the earth.
The statement of Jesus' ascension into heaven is in many ways a declaration of the power and efficacy of our High Priest's service on our behalf.
First, having entered heaven Jesus is no longer subject to the weaknesses of earthly priests. He cannot die and thus be prevented from continuing His work of interceding to God for us. But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Heb. 7:24-25). And He cannot sin and thus annul the sacrifice He has made. For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens . . . (Heb. 7:26) The weaknesses which beset the priests on earth cannot touch our High Priest in heaven.
Second, Jesus' ascension into heaven guarantees that His prayers for us will be heard by God. The priests met with God in an earthly sanctuary which was subject to decay, destruction, and eventually to God's judgment. But the sanctuary which Jesus entered is far greater. For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us . . . (Heb. 9:24; cf. Rom. 8:34). Jesus effectively intercedes for us because He is eternally present before our Father.
Third, our High Priest ascended into heaven to be seated, testifying that His one sacrifice succeeded where the repetitive earthly sacrifices never did. And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Heb. 10:11-14). The fact that the Levitical priests stood making the same sacrifices year after year was a demonstration that those sacrifices, though required by God, were not able to take away the sins of those who sacrificed. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins (Heb. 10:2). Jesus, however, did not remain standing, but sat at the Father's right hand, showing that His work was successful and complete, perfecting those who trust in His sacrifice.
Thus the greatness of our High Priest should give us confidence in His ability to interpose between us and God. When we are tempted and tried, Jesus acts powerfully on our behalf in the sanctuary of heaven itself.
But the very power and holiness which guarantees that Jesus is an exceedingly able High Priest could bring up an objection that, though Jesus is strong and holy, we are weak and subject to temptations with which He cannot relate. The author of Hebrews writes to the contrary that we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin (Heb. 4:15).
As a man, Jesus was subject to great trials and temptations. The phrase was in all points tempted as we are at first glance appears more universal than can actually be the case. We need to recognize that some temptations to sin are the result of our sinful flesh, or the result of previous sin we have given in to. Jesus would not have been subject to these. This verse must not be appealed to by those who would have Jesus sympathize, for instance, with their gross sexual perversions. For another example, He was never tempted to lie in order to cover up a theft. And there are temptations particular to women, husbands, fathers, or divorced people, which He obviously did not experience.
Verse 15 does show, however, that the Lord was tempted in a great number of ways, as we are. We are told explicitly that Jesus was tempted with power and glory by Satan in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). He daily endured trials and temptations at the hands of the religious leaders, His family, and His disciples. And He endured the terrible night before the cross where He was tempted to forsake the cup which God had poured out for Him. Yet in all He did the will of His Father perfectly.
When we are tempted, we can hold fast to the knowledge that Jesus was tempted also, and that He understands temptation's great force because He never submitted to it. He who falls under temptation learns only how weak he is, but he who withstands sin's powerful tug learns well how hard sin can pull. For who knows the force of the current better than one who has held himself firm against it? Jesus can help us stand firm because He stood firm. But when we fall, we also know that His heavenly sacrifice pleads before the Father in our behalf.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of
need (Heb. 4:16). The author appeals to us to come without fear to the heavenly throne in time of
need. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves
torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in
love (1 John 4: 17-18). No sin should keep us from coming, for on the throne sits our High Priest who was tempted as we are. True, Jesus is high and powerful, but He has
compassion on the lowly and weak. He is both merciful and mighty. Thus we may and must come boldly to His throne, because it is a throne of grace.
