Jesus Is An Understanding 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. (Hebrews 4:15)
Genuine sympathizers are not a dime a dozen; they are hard to find. They are rare, like expensive jewels. But this is exactly what we need when we hurt. What a priceless treasure it is, then, to have a Savior who is the most loving, understanding, and compassionate priest of all!
What sets Jesus apart from all other human priests, both in Bible times and today, is that he is both the priest and the sacrifice. He is the only priest who never needed to make atonement for his own sin, but only for the sins of others (Hebrews 7:27). Therefore, Jesus alone is qualified to offer himself as the last and best High Priest, the full and final sacrifice for sin—once for all—never to be repeated again.
More than that, while he lived in this fallen world he faced every temptation known to man, and still fulfilled God’s law “without sin.” He is a high priest who truly understands what you fight each and every day. He knows your joys and your sorrows. He knows your losses and your victories. He knows you better than you even know yourself. He will help you.
This is good news. Jesus, the Son of God who “has passed through the heavens” now sits at the right hand of God (Hebrews 4:14; 10:12). As the ascended High Priest, he sits with power and authority. Power to heal. Authority to forgive. Power over sin and death. And authority to grant personal access to the very throne room of God. Every need you have can be brought directly to God through him.
It is important to be reminded of these fundamental truths, since loss has a way of enabling fear and grief to erode the edges of our faith. When this occurs, it is more important than ever for us to “hold fast our confession” of faith. We persevere through the valleys of sorrow and pain by strengthening the grip of our faith on the immovable mountain of God.
Since Jesus is our priest, “all the promises of God find their Yes in him” (1 Corinthians 1:20). Promises like this one:
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From
where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who
made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot
be moved;
he
who keeps you will not slumber.
(Psalm 121:1-3)
