Hebrews 4:14-16

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.

This past Sunday, I presented Adam in the role as priest and king by his placement by God in the Garden and covenantal stipulation in the Garden to not eat of the tree of knowledge. Yet we know that Adam failed in his role as priest and king, but we have one who not only succeeded but endured the very same temptations that Adam faced and that we still face.

It is important to remind ourselves what the role of a priest is, particularly the high priest. The role of a the priest was to intercede on behalf of the people to God, and the high priest had an additional responsibility to represent the people before God. Adam was appointed this responsibility and failed as did every high priest appointed after him within the Levitical priesthood. But the Son of God entered into the picture, not of the Aaronic priesthood as a Levitical priest but of the order of Melchizedek (literally: the king of righteousness).

While we are born under the representation of Adam, God sent His Son that we may stand under His representation, and this is great news. Because standing under Jesus, the Son of God, we have a priest who is not only perfect but is also able to sympathize with us in our imperfection. There are three root temptations in life: money, power, and respect. We explicitly see Jesus tempted in these areas in the wilderness by Satan in Luke 4. Yet we see Jesus go through life and to the cross in humble submission to the Father to complete the task that the wholeness of God (Father, Son, and Spirit) determined before the foundations of the earth.

In facing these trials, Jesus Christ as our priest knows how temptations and trials can knock us down and also build us up. Hebrews 12 will go on to explain that discipline is necessary for growth and development. This discipline carries a twofold weight — correction and training. Jesus, the Son of God experienced all these things and can sympathize with us as we experience the same and similar experiences.

This sympathy is the reason why we can go with confidence in prayer and with confidence to the Lord’s Table to receive the grace that only God can give us. And He will give us grace!

But one last point about Jesus being a priest according to the order of Melchizedek — Melchizedek was the king of Salem and the priest of God on High (El Elyon). So, Jesus being a priest according to the order of Melchizedek reflects his role as priest and king, just as Adam was placed at the head of humanity in the Garden of Eden in a way which reflects both the roles and responsibilities of priest and King. Jesus Christ is the second and greater Adam!

United in Christ,
Rev. Joshua Fried
Pastor