HEBREWS 4:14-16 – “Since then 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 is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.
THEME OF THE DAY: JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST. Our amazing God comes to us in so many ways. First and foremost, He is our Savior – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). We also experience the loving care and protection of His Shepherd role – “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:1-6).
Another role so precious to us is found in the opening of the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the believers in Corinth – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3). We know how wonderful the comfort of God is when we experience deep loss, sorrow and grief.
In today’s scripture is still yet another glorious role our God fulfils towards us. It is that of High Priest, and particularly, it is the Lord Jesus. As our High Priest, there are two truths that emerge. The first is the way our High Priest sympathizes with us in our weaknesses. Jesus knows our pain. Jesus shows us pity. Jesus is tender and gentle towards us as broken reeds and smoldering wicks (Matthew 12:20). We are fragile emotionally, spiritually, even physically, and break easily in all three areas of our human experience. And Jesus shows great sympathy in all our brokenness.
The second thing our High Priest does is pray for us. How comforting a truth! Our Jesus prays for us, not some of the time, but all the time. And this soothes a hurting heart, maybe hurting so deeply, we don’t have words to pray ourselves! But rest confident that Jesus prays for us.
Take time today and thank the Lord for being so much to us, and especially our High Priest who sympathizes with us and prays for us.
PRAYER: Father, I praise You for providing for me not only a Savior in Your Son, but a sympathetic Priest.
REFLECTION: In times of deep sorrow, remember Jesus is not only near but praying for You.