316. Great High Priest
Hebrews 4:14, 15 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
God promises a great high priest that is presently in the heavenly realm. He has already made the final and only sacrifice for our sins to open the way into the eternal presence and glory of God. Jesus made the sacrifice and He Himself is the sacrifice. We can be certain beyond a doubt that God the Father has accepted that sacrifice and that He is pleased with Him and His sacrifice forever. For this reason Christ is call “great.” The work is finished, the price is paid in full, and the sacrifice is made once and for all.
The ongoing positive effects of the work of the Priest are also in place. The great high priest continues to plead our case before God, the Almighty Judge. Because of Christ we have 24/7 access to the throne of grace. In His Name we pray and for His sake God hears. The Priest is interceding for us continually. He has each of us individually in mind while He presents our daily needs to God. Our sighs and breathed prayers are presented before the Father as articulate petitions. This is what a High Priest does: He prays for us.
This great high priest is also a man, a complete human being. This priest is touched with the feeling of our weaknesses and infirmities. He knows what it is like to be subject to pain and death, helplessness and powerlessness. He knows what it is like to be tempted as we are. He knows what it is like to entrust oneself into the hands of someone else. He knows how to let go and let God. He knows exactly what we are going through, and He also knows how it will end. Our priest in the heavens is not an angel who cannot sympathize with the human condition. Our priest is not only God who may or may not have mercy. Our priest is a human being like us who knows what we need; and He is also God who is able to meet our human needs. Because of this Priest we know God cares, and we know He hears. And He saves.