Hebrews 4:14

“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.”

Historical Context:The book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians who were facing various challenges, including persecution and the temptation to turn back to Judaism. The author emphasises the superiority of Jesus Christ as the high priest and encourages the believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

• Jesus as the Great High Priest:

In the Old Testament, the high priest was a crucial figure who acted as a mediator between God and the people. The high priest offered sacrifices for the sins of the people and entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement. However, Hebrews highlights that Jesus is the ultimate and perfect high priest.

Jesus’ Exaltation and Access to God:The verse mentions that Jesus “is passed into the heavens.” This refers to Jesus’ ascension into heaven after His death and resurrection. Unlike the earthly high priests, Jesus didn’t enter an earthly sanctuary but entered the heavenly realm, where He now serves as our High Priest. Through His exaltation, Jesus has direct access to God the Father, interceding on behalf of believers.

The Profession of Faith:The verse encourages believers to “hold fast our profession.” This phrase refers to the confession or declaration of faith that believers make in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. The author urges the readers to remain steadfast in their commitment to Christ and not waver in the face of challenges, temptations, or persecutions. It emphasises the importance of remaining faithful to the truth of the Gospel and the confession of Jesus as the Son of God.

Hebrews 4:14 reminds us that Jesus, our High Priest, has made a way for us to approach God and receive His grace and mercy. As believers, we can find comfort and assurance in knowing that Jesus understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us. We are encouraged to remain firm in our faith, clinging to our confession of Jesus as the Son of God, even in the midst of trials and tribulations.

Overall, Hebrews 4:14 highlights the significance of Jesus as our High Priest, His exaltation, and our responsibility to hold fast to our faith in Him. It reminds us of the privilege we have in having Jesus as our mediator and encourages us to remain steadfast in our commitment to Him.