Over the last few weeks, we have been focusing upon God’s offer of salvation to all of humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ. This study is entitled, “Come to the Door.” This week’s message is the third in a collection based upon seven different passages which relate to this theme. It is based upon various passages from the New Testament book of Hebrews, one that I have simply entitled, “Jesus: Our Great High Priest.”
The passages from Hebrews which we shall point you towards depict for us various truths and insights regarding Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest. The foundational truth which we will glean from these passages of Scripture we is this: as our Great High Priest, Jesus serves as the doorway to granting us full reconciliation with the Father.
This week’s column will be a little different than most of the ones I write for you each week. This summation is one which is not going to appear in a full manuscript form as you have become accustomed to reading. Instead, this particular article will require you to take the initiative to read through the various passages from listed from the book of Hebrews. I encourage you to take the time necessary to carefully, thoroughly, prayerfully read through each segment of Scripture as it relates to each major truth we will examine. Do not be nervous, or hesitant, to do this. Ask the Holy Spirit to illumine your mind to the truths which these respective passages teach us in relation to Jesus’ role as our Great High Priest, and make them real within your heart and soul. As you ask in faith, I am confident that He will do just that.
First, let us consider Jesus’ salvation (9:11 – 15, 24 – 28). These passages are two of the most familiar and prominent ones within the book of Hebrews. They teach us that our inheritance through Christ is eternal (v.15). This chapter reminds us that Jesus has fulfilled the sacrificial covenant of the Old Testament through by means of His sinless life and death by crucifixion. Go back to the Gospels of Matthew (27:51 – 54), Mark (15:38 – 39), and Luke (23:44 – 47) and focus on the emphasis given to the Temple veil. That veil set apart an area within the Jerusalem Temple known as “the Holiest of All” (cf. Hebrews 9:8), or “the Most Holy Place” (cf. Hebrews 9:12). We often hear this area protected by the veil referenced as “the Holy of Holies.” This veil was “torn in two from top to bottom” (cf. Matthew 27:51), indicating that Jesus had become the doorway to granting repentant believers full access and reconciliation with Almighty God.
Second, let us think about Jesus’ sacrifice (Hebrews 10:9 – 14). Jesus’ willing sacrifice of His own life indicates that our spiritual union with Him never changes (vv.10, 14). The high priests who oversaw the sacrifices offered under the covenant practiced in the Old Testament had to repeatedly offer the same sacrifices on behalf of the people. They did so on a daily basis, as well as during special feast times, and particularly in relation to the annual Day of Atonement ceremonies. Jesus, however, offered His sinless life “once to bear the sins of many” (cf. Hebrews 9:28). Give close attention to Hebrews 10:12 – 14 at this point.
Third, we can also acknowledge Jesus’ surety (Hebrews 7:22 – 28 & 8:1 – 2). He intercedes as our Advocate before the Father (7:25). As our Advocate, Jesus enables us to draw near to God’s throne of grace by means of prayer, and to lift up spiritual sacrifices unto the Father for His glory. And as our Advocate, Jesus also assures us of being fully reconciled and accepted by our Heavenly Father. 1 John 2:1 – 2 affirms this truth, which reads, “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”
Fourth, we are assured of Jesus’ sympathy (Hebrews 2:14 – 18 & 4:14 – 16). These passages declare to us that our Lord identifies with our humanity (2:14, 17 – 18 & 4:15). Jesus can look at us and say, “I know” to the hurts and
betrayals of life’s relationships, to the storms and trials found on every path of life. He truly is “a merciful and faithful High Priest” to us (cf. 2:17).
Fifth, we may also recognize something of Jesus’ suffering (Hebrews 5:8 – 10 & 12:1 – 3). These two passages motivate us to remain faithful to our Lord in this journey of life. Because Jesus Himself— by the example of His own life— inspires us to a life of devoted, joyful obedience (12:3).
Sixth, and lastly, let us seek to understand Jesus’ steadfastness (Hebrews 6:9 – 12, 19 – 20 & 10:19 – 23 & 13:8). Jesus implores us to live this life of faith with diligence, and to guard against becoming spiritually lazy and sluggish (6:11 – 12). I know, that qualifies as “easy preaching and hard living” for us on some days, doesn’t it? Let’s be honest with one another. Living this life of faith as a follower of Jesus demands the spiritual disciplines of steadfastness and diligence in order for us to express lives of obedience to Him on a consistent basis. Apart from abiding in Christ, we cannot possibly live such a life (cf. John 15:4 – 5). But, as we abide in Him, and with Him, we can do so. Because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (13:8). Amen.
Remember, as our Great High Priest, Jesus serves as the doorway to granting us full reconciliation with the Father. Again, what “a merciful and faithful High Priest” we have!
Spaniards have a story about a father and a son who became estranged from one another. The son eventually left his father and home behind, determined to make his own way in life on his terms. After a few months apart— and with no communication between them— the father set out to find his son, with the hope of making things right in their relationship.
The father searched for several months to find his son, but to no avail. Finally, in desperation, that father turned to a local newspaper for help. He placed an ad in that newspaper that simply read: “Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father.”
On that particular Saturday, over 800 young men named “Paco” showed up in front of that newspaper office looking for forgiveness and love from their estranged fathers.
The world is filled with people who desperately long for— and need— reconciliation with both God and with other people. Are you one of them? Cf. Romans 5:8 – 11 & 2 Corinthians 5:18 – 19.
“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20 – 21).
Anchored to His Faithfulness,
Allen Roberts