As a little girl growing up in the Catholic church, I observed with wonder the ceremony when the priest prepared the sacraments, then lifted the chalice above the arms of his embroidered robe towards the heavens. The rhythm of this routine brought comfort and awe at the same time. During those moments, my young heart began to realize the meaning of the word holy.
A decade later, my teenage heart beat wildly in my chest, urging me to come forward amidst the sounds of praise music, beckoning me to come closer to God, the One who seemed so holy and far away. That day I knelt before a different altar, not in ceremony but in surrender.
The early years of sensing the holiness of God prepared me to kneel in wonder of the reality that I could draw near to God Himself. In this passage, we see how God made way for us to draw near to Him in confidence.
Let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. ––Hebrews 4:16
It is difficult to wrap our heads around the truth that the God of the universe wants us to draw near. With confidence. To receive mercy. And grace.
Grace means to receive something undeserved. That undeserved gift is that Jesus Christ is the source of eternal salvation.
Jesus is the source, who walked with humanity on earth. He was holy, yet approachable (Hebrews 4:15).
He endured every temptation (Matthew 4:1–11). He suffered for us (Hebrews 5:8). He sympathizes with our every weakness (Hebrews 4:15).
The wonder of wonders is not only did He save us; He desires to draw near to us. The holy one that endured every suffering and pain because of His love for us longs for us to draw close. To approach Him. The God of the universe. He invites us not only to draw near, but to hold fast to our confession that He saved us.
The word krateo in Greek means holding fast, not letting go. The way we would grab on to the hand of a loved one, a grasp that is steadfast and unyielding to any thought of letting go. A grasp that holds on even tighter when difficulties urge us to release. A grasp that keeps us knuckle to knuckle in the grip of His love.
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50 thoughts on "Our Great High Priest"
I love how these devos connect these passages together – I often struggle to find the connection until I read the devo. Jesus thank you for being both the great high priest and the sacrifice for our sins ❤️
I pray to be filled with knowledge of Gods will in all spiritual wisdom and understand. Lord, please soften my heart into surrendering to your guidance and will.
Amen!
You finished the work Jesus. Let me obey in love, not out of legalism. Let me know in my heart of hearts your love in free, enough and unconditional.
❤️
I just read this, and I’m praying that you were able to affirm, encourage, and uplift that young man in your art class. I can’t even imagine all the emotions involved in that situation. He’s blessed to have a caring teacher like you in his life.
I know Jesus holds tight to me through all my life brings to me. It is for Him that I am here.
I’ve always loved how Hebrews 4:16 reminds us we CAN and God WANTS us to boldly approach the throne when we have temptations, troubles, etc.
❤️
Mercy! Reading the deeper meaning behind the Greek is bringing life to these scriptures for me. It’s like I understand the fullness and wonder and love that God has for us. That he wants us to draw near to Him. That he wants us to hold onto him, in the same way we hold onto our loved ones. This. This is the love story God offers to us. Telling us to approach His throne boldly. Just as we would approach our loved ones boldly. It makes me think about my granddaddy. I was never scared to approach him. I never felt shy of his love. Instead I felt confident to move through a line to get to him. I felt confident coming to his house, knowing that he would receive me with open arms, and a smile on his face.
I am just reading through these comments today after reading the book yesterday. I have a totally new perspective today, wow. It just dawned on me that the devil gave Jesus a way to skip through all his physical suffering on the cross and 1000s of years of creation groaning to reach the end game Jesus ruling over all the kingdoms on earth. Every single one of us would take the fast forward button to avoid suffering and get to the end result unscathed. BUT GOD. He didn’t. He is patient with us. Wanting no one to perish but everyone to have eternal life. Amazing to think about.
@Kathy, I am also a teacher and my daughter was molested by my mother in law’s husband. We also had to go to trial. My daughter was only 5 when she told us. She had a dream that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit told her to tell me what was happening. Praise God! It turns out that my niece was also being molested. All the other grandchildren on this side are girls. This may have happened to more or all if God hadn’t intervened. I will pray for him and his family. Also, for the other requests that I saw.
@ J M I’m so sorry. My circumstances were different, but I also buried a child. I’m praying for you too.
Amen
Why can it be SO hard, if not impossible, to not give in to temptation, when we know it’s wrong? Jesus NEVER sinned.. he was PERFECT. Can you imagine how hard that must have been?! Not to mention he willingly died on the cross for all of us who sin? WOW. What a great passage.
The lines that stood out to be most: “He is able to deal GENTLY with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness” Hebrews 5:2 and “During his early life he offered appeals with loud cries abs tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his great reverence.” Hebrews 5:7. I always picture Jesus as being perfect and not struggling with the pain of being human. I knew, that he struggled in death, but the reminder that he suffered with day to life just as we did makes me cry. It’s so comforting to know that he KNOWS what it’s like, and therefore is able to exhibit compassion. I just love Him with all my being. I hope my daughter gets to know Him in this way.
It’s so nice that God is not only near to us, but he understands us. I know we all love to be understood and loved❤️ happy Friday ladies!
Krateo hug- what a sweet and intimate image (thank you so much dear Tina! you always paint pictures so well with your words). This is a steadfast grasp that God encourages us to hold on to His hem without letting go, UNTIL we have our miracle. Be persistent when coming to God. When the Lord was crucified, the long 8 inch nail went through his wrist, causing the cut in the main artery on the wrist, it disconnected the blood flow, render the hand not moveable. After being hung for hours, the blood drained out causing the hand to be in a rock hard position, to illustrate the truth that Jesus has us secure in His death grip, and no one can snatch us out of His tight grasp for His sheep. The Lord said, my Father gave me my sheep, and “no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28). No indeed. Who can with such a death grip? I don’t have the perfect words to describe the depth of His great love for us, and the messy sacrifice process He agreed to go through. My heart will always give praise to my Saviour. May we walk worthily of the wounded Saviour who has me & you tightly and securely in His hands.
@Kathy: I am praying for your prayer requests. My oh my, isn’t the devil so wicked? I just love how wise you are to cover your student spiritually in prayer. We wage war through God with this kind of evil. Regardless of how dramatic it may be looking right now, I have a firm belief that the Lord can turn every wicked thing around for their good, in His time (however long that might take). Thank you Kathy for sharing the burden you carry for your student. So precious and absolutely beautiful! God bless your heart!
Lifting the other prayer requests to the Lord who is the mighty man of war Jehovah Nissi. May He cause the devil & its demons who attacks you & your families to flee and scatter horribly in 7 directions (Deuteronomy 28:7). May the Lord raise the standard when the devil comes at you like a flood (Isaiah 59:19 KJV). In Jesus’ mighty name. Be blessed dear sisters. In GOD we stand!
From JENNIFER LOVES JESUS -Help me grow in my ability to respond well to life’s interruptions. Help me respond with wisdom and love. I am not an unwelcome interruption when I approach Your throne of grace with my needs. How merciful You are to receive me with eyes of love. How grateful I am for Your help in my times of need. Which is always. Thank You Lord. Maranatha. Maranatha. Maranatha. I am holding fast to my faith, I am drawing near. Make me more like You. Amen.
Life is full of interruptions and I pray I can gracefully accept them. Jesus did not turn away. He still does not turn away when I need him. I’m beyond thankful for that constant in my life. Where would we be without Jesus?? Lost, angry, thoughtless, and about self. I want to get out of myself. To see what others need more than what I think I need. I feel so undeserved of God’s grace. A sinner who fails time and time again. Please God make me more like Jesus…
I love this community of women so much. The study of Leviticus was life-changing and I’m really enjoying the study of Hebrews.
One of the things that I love so much about this community is that we are a group of praying women. No request is too small to make. I have two really serious, scary requests for y’all to pray over.
The first one is for you to pray for one of my students. I teach high school art and one of my freshmen boys is having to go to court this coming Monday. His parents went through a really ugly divorce two years ago. One of the reasons for the divorce was that the dad was molesting this child. He admitted it to the district attorney and the mom thought that would be all, but now they are having a trial and he’s going to have to go testify. My heart just aches for him. He is a precious young man and I hate that he is having to go through this. Please pray for the presence of God over this young man and that He will allow me to speak words of love and affirmation to him.
The second prayer request is for the wife of one of our former youth. (My husband is youth pastor at our church.) She had surgery to have a cyst removed. The surgeon was able to remove that cyst, but while operating he discovered more growths. Since then, they found out that the growths are cancerous. They are still trying to determine where the cancer originated. She’s having tests next week to help determine that. They have a toddler. Please pray for this family. We are all devastated for them.
Thank you for being women willing to go before the throne of God. I will keep you posted. Have a blessed weekend.
JM- sorry I hit the wrong button-
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours. – Psalms 110:3
I thought this might be a day of power upon our earthly death and passing into eternal rest in His presence! What a nice image!
JM- sorry I hit the wrong button-
3 Your people will offer themselves freely
on the day of your power,
in holy garments;
from the womb of the morning,
the dew of your youth will be yours. – Psalms 110:3
JM- sorry I hit the wrong button-
JM – as I read these passages, I related this-
Susie H– Hebrews 4:14 “let us hold fast to our confession” — if you look it up in the Greek Lexicon you find the word for “hold fast” to be krateo in Greek. I use the Blue Letter Bible app to look up the Hebrew (OT) or Greek (NT) translation root word. It is a big help!
Oh ladies, such a great High Priest we serve. He lived by faith in His Father’s will. He had to experience that which His people would experience so that He might be able to minister as their High Priest. He is able to sympathize with us when we are suffering. No matter what trials we face, Jesus Christ is able to understand our needs and help us. And when we have gone through difficulties we are better able to understand the needs of others, and become better able to encourage them. And what a visual “knuckle to knuckle in the grip of His love”.
This journey thru Steve’s brain cancer certainly keeps me drawing closer to Jesus. And He is so good. He gives me His manna from heaven, all that I need, minute by minute, day by day. Thank you for your prayers…even when I don’t always mention that I need them, it is a daily need.
JM – praying for you in the loss of your mother and your son
I keep a list of prayer needs and go over them so many times. I feel as if I know all of you. What a wonderful family of sisters here.
Tina, thank you for your Krateo hugs from across the pond.
Hugs to all and a blessed weekend. ❤️
I feel so blessed and eternally grateful to have a God who longs for my salvation!
Yet He did not sin!!! Soaking that in today and praising God today for the PERFECT SACRIFICE!!! Have a good weekend sisters!
Jennifer loves Jesus, I echo your prayer. Thank you
Kelly (NEO) thank you for including HRT! That is so good. And J M, I’m so sorry about your loss, praying for you and your family. (Also the posting has happened to us all!! When I hit return on my phone it posts prematurely.❤️) Lynne from AL & GramsieSue I am praying for your husbands and for you both. Victoria E. Praying for you! Other SHE’s I didn’t name, I am praying for you as well, the Lord knows your deepest need & longing of your hearts. Praise God for this scripture!
Well said, I too struggle with this. I’m getting better at dealing with interruptions in “my day”, but still have so far to go!
SUSIE H – Krateo (Hold fast): Hebrews 4:14. Great devotional as always, VINA MOGG!
Oh my! Not sure how I posted all over the place. Sorry.
Afghanistan
At the age of 23 so it’s hitting me hard today. Would cherish any prayers. Both my mom and son loved the Lord and that gives me comfort. Have a wonderful day my sisters
What a privilege to be able to go directly to God on our own as Jesus is our High Priest. I honestly wouldn’t survive a day if I wasn’t able to seek him daily on my own and not through a in person intermediary. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice and being my High Priest.
Afghanistan
Which verse does KRATEO come from? I assume that this is more clearly in the printed study?
Hoping you a lovely day sisters.
Thank you all for your prayers, it means so much. We are on our way to the funeral, but I needed to draw near to the Lord and this message today v.16 really helped. I lost my son he was KIA in Afghanistan
I think of all the times I’ve tried to run from God and HE has held ME fast. It reminds me of the hymn “He Will Hold Me Fast.” For my Savior loves me so!! This devotion was like a balm to my soul. I hope everyone has a blessed weekend <3
Some of our days won’t go as planned. In fact, how many actually do? Life interrupted. Heart at rest interrupted. Health interrupted. Plans tripped up by other humans. Peace thwarted by noise. Interrupted and thrown off course. Is my response sinful or humble? Hebrews 4:15 affirms that Jesus was tempted in every way just as we are, yet He did not sin. Humans interrupted Him constantly. His most merciful and awesome plans interrupted all the time. Yet, He did not sin. He responded with wisdom and love. Father God, I come to Your throne of grace, I need mercy. And I am confident and comforted in Your presence. No matter what I suffer, whether great or small, I learn obedience and I move through it with Your grace. I mature in humility. Help me grow in my ability to respond well to life’s interruptions. Help me respond with wisdom and love. I am not an unwelcome interruption when I approach Your throne of grace with my needs. How merciful You are to receive me with eyes of love. How grateful I am for Your help in my times of need. Which is always. Thank You Lord. Maranatha. Maranatha. Maranatha. I am holding fast to my faith, I am drawing near. Make me more like You. Amen.
Jesus is our Great High Priest. Just as the high priest passed through the veil into the presence of God into the Holy of Holies once a year, so Jesus has passed through the heavens to in God’s presence for eternity. One day, Jesus will come back for His people and will bring us to be in His Father’s presence forever, too.
Jesus is our Great High Priest. Just as the high priest was able to sympathize with the people by coming before God in weakness and made atonement for his own sins before making atonement for the people, so Jesus is able to sympathize with our weakness. He took on our flesh and was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin (Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 4:1-11). One day, He will sanctify us completely so that we will be able to stand before the Father without sin.
Just as Melchizedek, who was not a Levite, was a kingly priest of the Most High God, so Jesus is a kingly high priest of His Father. Melchizedek was the king of Salem (Salem = peace & was an early name for Jerusalem) and a priest to the Most High God. Melchizedek brought Abram bread & wine & blessed him after Abram had defeated a band of kings and rescued his nephew Lot that had been kidnapped by them. Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth (a tithe) of all he had. Jesus didn’t exalt Himself to be High Priest. He humbled Himself and God the Father exalted Him (Philippians 2:5-11).
As High Priest, Jesus:
– Offered prayers & appeals with loud cries & tears to the One who was able to save Him from death (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46; John 17)
– Learned obedience from what He suffered, although He is the Son (John 5:17-30; 8:21-29; 12:44-50; 14:30-31; Romans 5:12-21)
– Was perfected & became the Source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him (although He was already perfect)
Amen
I love reading all the replies and insights on today. Thank you
So very hard to grasp but true that He is near, whether I am or not. Thank you dear Lord!
And Tina, when our oldest granddaughter started with the “side hugs” we at first were a little hurt – was a far cry from the full-on body slamming running straight at you hugs when she was small. We realize it’s a natural bit of separation, so my husband started teasing her just a bit about it and while the hugs are often the same awkward side thing, and her Poppa exclaims “oh! Don’t hug me so tight I can’t breathe!” she laughs and we realize she loves us just the same as she always did.
I heard Dr. Charles Stanley preach on Hebrews 4. He said that we can come boldly, but encouraged the people to get on their knees because He is Holy. Dr. Stanley challenged them that this would change their prayer life. You can find the message on YouTube called: Help in Time of Need. I am usually reminded of that message when I read that Scripture.
This love is astounding! Jesus suffered in ways that are unfathomable to us. He is our only Hope! May He help us to live our life in remembrance of what He has done! We can’t even do that without Him! Truly Amazing!
@Tina, Thank you for that beautiful picture! Amen to your prayer for us today. Prayers for you all today!
Also, I’m asking for prayers for family and friends of a former coworker and friend that passed away. She was 51. Her viewing is today. She leaves many behind. Thank you so much!
He is holy!
From HRT: “We can rest knowing that Jesus is perfectly capable of understanding the depth of our needs and helping us.”
Jesus learned obedience. He experienced Himseld what is involved in obeying, what it can cost. He knows what suffering is. Isn’t that a comfort? He can sympathize with us, literally: suffer along with us. So great is His love that He was willing to endure all this, so that now we can come freely and boldly to Him to receive all we need.
Amen
Halleluyah! I HOLD FAST because I have a High priest who has gone ahead of me. My ability to hold on to the faith and my confession of trust is based on the finished work of Jesus. By myself, I am unable to KRATEO (hold fast without letting go). I am glad because HE has given me ALL THINGS that I need to Godly living. What a privilege and a blessing.
Praying my heart, my mind, my being continue to KRATEO, hold fast, knuckle to knuckle, to the One, who already holds me çlose, to the One who gave His life that I might have mine, a life with Him. In love, wrapped in mercy grace, and in confident communion..
As I was writing, I was reminded of my grandchildren and their once half- hearted hugs.. their arms would go round me, but I couldn’t feel them and not because they were small, I can tell you! They have learnt now to hug nanny well. To hug nanny, as though they would never let go.. I’m thinking this is KRATEO in a way.
BUT GOD..
A just so you get it moment, right?
Amen.
Happy Friday to you all, my dear sisters at SRT, covered in love, hugs and prayers for God’s comforting arms to be wrapped around you, KRATEO style, and for you/us to know, believe and respond in the same way..❤