Jesus Our High Priest
September 5, 2008

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

Have you ever sinned and felt that you had to “make things right” before you could come to God? You knew that God was holy and just, so you desperately tried to “become righteous” before coming to him so that you wouldn’t offend him.

It’s strange how we can get the most basic truths backward. Jesus came, died for us, rose from the dead, and serves now and forever as our high priest because we sinned. Because we cannot make things right on our own. Because there is no way we could possibly avoid offending God.

When you sin, don’t focus on the sin, and don’t focus on yourself. Don’t try to “make things right” on your own. Ironically, your very efforts are keeping you away from the God you crave fellowship with, because they are your efforts.

Instead, remember Jesus: your high priest. Your intercessor. Your advocate before the Father. He is sympathetic to your weakness. He came because of your sin. None of this is a surprise to him.

Because of what he did on the cross, you can come with confidence to him. Did you hear that? With confidence! Not with worry or fear, but with confidence, knowing that he is ready, willing, and able to provide you with all the grace and mercy you need to forgive your sin and overcome it forever. He is ready to help in your time of need.

• Do you have a sin you need to bring before the Lord?
• What has been stopping you from doing so?

Picture in your mind Jesus as your high priest. Imagine his compassionate eyes, his confident stance, his outstretched arms, his scarred hands. Place your sin in his hands. Allow him to take the sin from you. Open your hands and to receive the mercy and grace you need from him.