Heb.4:14-16 – 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 a 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.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
This passage begins to introduce the heart of the book of Hebrews. Paul is again pointing out the necessity of Christ being both man and God. He is moved with the feeling of our infirmities because he tasted humanity Himself. He is also the Son of God Who has passed into the heavens for us. So He became a man to taste humanity and death and lives forever as the Son of God to represent God to us and us to Him. He is our heavenly High Priest that lives forever as a man and gives all men access into the Presence to find help in our time of need. Here is how the CCEC describes this passage.
“High priests are prominent throughout Scripture, but only one great high priest exists—Jesus, the Son of God. As the great high priest, Jesus redefined the office because, even though he was tempted in every way as we are, he never sinned and he has passed through the heavens into the very throne room of God to be our mediator. Later verses also show that this spatial language refers to the fact that Jesus’s priestly work for us did not take place in the earthly tabernacle but in the heavenly tabernacle (Heb 9). Jesus—because he is the great high priest and on account of the superiority of his sacrifice—has entered the actual presence of God on our behalf and has now brought us near to God. The author of Hebrews uses this priestly work of Christ as the grounds for exhorting his audience to “hold fast to our confession.”
This help is a very special kind of supernatural help. This word help that is used here means this, “for seasonable help, or help in good time; before it is too late; while there is still time to seek God’s rest. Others, however, explain, when it is needed; or, before temptation leads to sin.” Vincent’s Wordbook –
So this is what is being said, no matter how dire your circumstances you have an Intercessor in heaven that has felt what you are feeling. He represents you to the Father as the Son of God, invites you to come into His presence at the throne of grace, on top of all that He offers very real supernatural help at the perfect time. So today we come before Him with boldness knowing that He hears us and accepts us and receives help at the perfect time.
