Day 5

Our Great High Priest

from the Hebrews reading plan


Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 5:1-10, Psalm 110:1-7, Matthew 4:1-11

BY Vina Mogg

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.

Post Comments (50)

50 thoughts on "Our Great High Priest"

  1. Lanie Hefferly says:

    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.

  2. Kristen says:

    @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.

  3. Melissa Mcronney says:

    Amen

  4. Kacie Harlan says:

    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.

  5. justine viola says:

    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.

  6. Jennifer Anapol says:

    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!

  7. Mercy says:

    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!

  8. Traci Gendron says:

    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…

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