Contributor: Alex Kokobili

INTRODUCTION

The previous lesson reminded us about the efficacy of God’s Word with a description of the validity of its power. In Hebrew 4:12-13, we learned that God’s word is not dormant or idle but it is LIVING and ACTIVE. This means the Word of God is not a semantical lexicon or linguistic expression but the Word of Life. The Word of God has been in action from the beginning of the creation of the heavens and earth, and this Word has the power to create, destroy and make alive. Christ our High Priest is the Word of God and it is through Him that all things exist (John 1:1-5). The Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword is very on point because it has not lost the might or potency to fix anything whatsoever that exists on earth. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life). The sharper a sword is, the easier is it to pierce through a substance, but the word of God is sharper than the sharpest of metals. This tells us as long as we have Christ in us there is nothing that can hinder God’s ultimate plans for our lives because the word of God can locate all things and bring them under control.
Today, we are progressing in Hebrews 4:14-16 which will help us understand more about Jesus Christ as Word of God from previous verses with His identity as our Chief High Priest.

•Hebrews 4:14

“Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passedthrough the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.”

The is an understanding of the revelation of Christ the great High Priest. From the start of this fourth chapter, we discovered the need to enter into God’s rest; which is the holiest of holies in His tabernacle. The High Priest usually has to lead God's people into His presence, but some failed to make it to his rest due to human imperfections or disobedience. We must never lose focus of Christ the great High Priest or else we will not finish the journey of faith (Hebrews 12:1-2). It is one thing to SEE that the High Priest became human like us and He is now making intercession for us at the right hand of the Father, BUT another thing is to also thrive to be in His presence. Many will see Him but will not behold Him. Christ passed through the heavens because He died and rose again and ascended through the clouds back to heaven, and now He is making intercession for us as the Great High Priest at the right hand of God (Romans 8: 34 “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ who died, yea rather, who is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us). (Hebrews 7:24-25 “But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 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”).
We must understand that for Christ to attain His position as the great Chief High Priest He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sins which no other human priest could in the weakness of their humanity (Hebrews 7:26-27). As we hold on to our confession in Him, we must be aware that Christ was once human like us and that He understands the struggles of humankind (Hebrews 4:15). This is why He wants us to look unto Him solely as the all in all for our salvation (Hebrews 12:1-2).

•Hebrews 4:15

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with ourweaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Sympathy is a major characteristic of a priest, and you will now imagine that the Chief High Priest will be super compassionate than any human priest. The priest usually bears the reproach of the people and then makes an offering on their behalf before taking their request to God’s presence (Joel 2:17), and Hebrews 5:1-4) after making a similar sacrifice for his own sins. Leviticus 16:23-24 explained how the priest made a sacrifice himself and the people for atonement and the Old Testament has other similar examples signifying the duties of the priest. (“23, Then Aaron shall come into the tabernacle of meeting, shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 24, And he shall wash his body with water in a holy place, put on his garments, come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people”).
However, we now have Christ the Chief High Priest who is faultless. He is able to save us to the uttermost no matter the level of condemnation (Hebrews 7:25 “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”).
As believers, we must remember that John 3: 16 is not for a selected few but all humans and we must trust God for the salvation of all those around us including our enemies. It is the High Priest that saves and your anointing cannot save anyone except the sure mercies of God.
The prayer of mercy or compassion is very powerful, and Christ never stopped interceding for humankind till today.

•Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we mayobtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Let us come means you and I must break that barrier and move over to Him. If you don’t come to Him and ask for help to live according to His will, then you can consider yourself on a self mission without any eternal hope.
Once you come to Him, you have to admit that you need the Chief High Priest to make intercession for you. Some people pretend as if all is well, even when they are in the well of calamity. Do you need help in your Christian life? career, family, studies, church projects, etc.? Talk to God about it because by strength shall no man prevail (1 Samuel 2:9B), and if we cover our sin we shall no prosper (Proverbs 28:13).
Coming to Him in boldness is not because you are foolish, but a sign of surrender, and you will meet Him at the throne of GRACE. Hallelujah! This is awesome, the throne of grace is better than the place of destruction or judgment, and in this throne of GRACE, the compassion of the Lord kicks in to prevail in MERCY over our weaknesses and also to help us to overcome life battles from time to time.

CONCLUSION

Draw unto God now that He is near and let God take full charge as the High Priest over the affairs of your life (James 4: 8 “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded”).
The role of the priest is not to condemn people but to direct people to God which is what saw in the Old Testament with the human priest and now the High Priest in the New Testament does not only direct people to God, but He is able to save them to the uttermost.