The Epistle to the Hebrews Lesson 6 Let us Boldly Approach God’s Throne Through Our Great High Priest Hebrews 4:12 – 5:10

The Challenge of Entering God’s Presence How can sinful man approach a Holy and Majestic God? (cf. Isaiah 6:5) How can we stand in the presence of One Who is All-Seeing? (Psalms 33:13-15; 139:1-4; Proverbs 5:21) We may enter God’s presence through Christ, our Superior High Priest!

The Power of God’s Word Hebrews 4:12 God’s word is RELEVANT –Living and Powerful (John 1:1-3; 2 Peter 3:5-7; Romans 1:16-17). God’s word is PIERCING –It goads the conscience (Ecclesiastes 12:11) –It cuts to the heart (Acts 2:37; 7:54) God’s word is DISCERNING –It distinguishes between things that we see as inseparable (soul-spirit, joints-marrow) –It interprets us!

Nothing is Concealed from God’s Eyes Hebrews 4:13 God is able to know all things (Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24; Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 23:24) We must “give account” to One who knows all the facts (Romans 14:12; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Galatians 6:7-8)

Yet We May Enter God’s Presence With Boldness (Hebrews 4:14-16) Since we have a “great High Priest” who has opened the way to God… Let us hold fast our confession! –Holding fast is a critical condition of salvation (3:6, 14) AND of going to God for help (4:14) “Let Us” in Hebrews –13 times a verb is used in this (ex)hortatory tense (Present active volitive subjunctive) –Let us “fear” (4:1), “labor” (4:11), “hold fast” (4:14, 23), “come boldly” (4:16), “go on to perfection” (6:1), “draw near” (10:22), “stir up” (10:24), “law aside” sin (12:1), “run with endurance” (12:1), “have grace” to serve with reverence (12:28), “go forth” (13:13), “offer” praise (13:15)

Yet We May Enter God’s Presence With Boldness (Hebrews 4:14-16) Our sympathetic High Priest –He can sympathize with our weaknesses because He was “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (see 2:18). When it comes to trial and temptation, Jesus has walked in our shoes! We may come boldly to the throne through Jesus to find mercy and obtain grace in time of need.

Christ, Our Great High Priest The Book of Hebrews describes Christ as our “High Priest” eleven times (2:17; 3:1; 4:14, 15; 5:5, 10, 6:20; 7:26; 8:1; 9:11; 10:21) Christ has been shown to be superior to the angels and to Moses as a spokesman. We are now shown that Christ is also superior to Aaron as a high priest. –The position of High Priest would have been understood and appreciated by those who knew the Law.

The Significance of Being a High Priest Hebrews 5:1-4 The Old Testament High Priest served a vital function for God and the people (5:1-3; Numbers 18:1-7) –He offered gifts and sacrifices for sins (5:1) (Leviticus 16:3, 11, 15, 21, 24; Heb. 9:6-7) –He was a sympathetic representative of man to God (5:2-3; Leviticus 9:7-8) He must be “called by God” to the office (5:4) –The High Priest was neither elected nor self- appointed (Exodus 28:1ff.)

Why Christ is a Great High Priest Hebrews 5:5-10 Christ was ordained by God to be a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek (5:5-6) –The order of Melchizedek will be dealt with more fully in Hebrews 7:4-10 (cf. Genesis 14:18-20) –In the present context, the quotations from Psalm 2:7 and 110:4 prove that God ordained His Son to this Priestly order.

Why Christ is a Great High Priest Hebrews 5:5-10 His Sonship makes Him an ideal priest! –As a Son, Jesus’ passion, purity and reverence give Him access to the hearing of God. (5:7) He approaches the Father as a Son (John 11:41b-42) He approaches with fervency (Luke 22:44; James 5:16) He approaches in purity (John 9:31; 1 Peter 3:12) He approaches in reverence – knowing that the Father is “able to save Him from death” –His learning obedience through suffering provides us with a perfect example (5:8; 1 Peter 2:21-22) –Therefore, He is the perfect “Captain” and “Author” of salvation to all who obey Him. (5:9) –He is therefore called to be our High Priest (5:10)