We have a Great High Priest

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 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. - Hebrews 4:11‭-‬16 ESV

Pastor Charles Shin

The necessity of perseverance

During a time of testing, we are called to stand firm in our faith. We are called to endure to the end. Where does the power to endure come from?

The penetrating nature of God's word

Why does the author suddenly start talking about God's word being living and active? It seems like some sort of trivia. But this fact is linked to perseverance. The words of man are considered and we decide and judge them. Not so with the word of God. It pursues and challenges us.

God's word examines us. It strips us naked before God. It shows us our true nature and our need for salvation.

Our great high priest

Where do we turn when we find ourselves exposed? Jesus, the son of God, who became a man. He is both God and man. He has passed through the heavens. This means he has come to earth and also gone back to heaven.

Priests mediated between God and man. They act on behalf of men to plead their case before God. Jesus is the mediator for all believers. How does he do this? He sympathizes with us in our weakness. He has been tempted like us. He experienced the full range of human weakness. He knew suffering, affliction, loneliness, betrayal...

Let us hold fast to our confession

How do we work with our great high priest?

1. Persist in confident prayer (confident in Christ;not self-confidence)
  A. In our time of need, we should pray. 
  B. When we feel our weakness, we should pray.
2. Keep Jesus in mind. Meditate on his life, suffering, and resurrection.