Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 5:1-11

In the next section of our study, the writer of Hebrews continues to consider Jesus Christ our High Priest. Jesus Christ our superior High Priest was introduced early in the Book of Hebrews. Our High Priest is merciful and faithful to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 2:17 NKJV Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 3:1-2 NKJV Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.

After His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ ascended back to the Father in heaven.

In the previous study, we were told “all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do,” (Hebrews 4:13). We hold no secrets from God. The Lord God is all-seeing and all-knowing.

We must give account to God, Who knows the secret thoughts and intents of our heart and mind. This necessitates our having a Mediator Who is sympathetic and compassionate. Hebrews 4:14 through Hebrews 7 presents Jesus Christ as the One Great Mediator for God’s needy people. Our Compassionate High Priest is far superior to the Levitical Priesthood. He is much more than a scrutinizer of our weaknesses, sins,  and failures. He ministers to us in every area of our need.

Since God knows the most minute details of our physical bodies, spirit and soul, and thoughts and intents of our heart, we need a Sympathetic and Compassionate High Priest.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NKJV Seeing then that 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Our High Priest is able to help us find the grace and mercy we need.

In the Old Testament, the High Priestly ministry was initiated by God to provide a mediator between man and God.

 The High Priest was consecrated unto God to bear the burden and judgment of Israel before the Lord. Everything about his position referred to ministry for the people of God. His clothes were a testimony of the ministry that God gave him.

The ephod was a shoulder cape or mantle.

Two onyx stones were placed on the shoulder of the ephod. (Exodus 28:4-31)

These stones had the names of the 12 sons of Israel. Six names were on each stone in the order of their birth. The stones were put on the shoulders of the ephod as a memorial so he bears the names before the Lord.

Twelve stones were placed on the breastplate, (Exodus 28:15-30).

Each stone had the name of one of the tribes of Israel. There were four rows of three stones.

The High Priest carried two stones in the breastplate of judgment, (Exodus 28:30).

They were called Urim and Thummim. Urim means lights and Thummim means perfection. Aaron was to wear them over his heart when he went in before the Lord.

Exodus 28:30 NKJV And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually. 

On the front of his turban was a plate of gold with the engraving: “Holiness to the Lord.” (Exodus 28:36-38)

The high priest had this on the front of his turban in front of his forehead. This was a testimony to all who saw the high priest that he is consecrated to the Lord. He wore the turban with the gold plate to constantly remind the High Priest and God’s people of God’s holiness. God wanted to dwell with His people, but His holiness would destroy them if they did not take the steps He required. 

When anyone saw the High Priest, they knew what he was to do.

His clothing was a testimony of the purpose for his existence and consecration. He was consecrated to bear the people before the Lord. He was the High Priest dedicated by God to come into God’s presence bearing the people and their need.

Ultimately, Jesus Christ is the One Perfect Mediator, (Luke 4:34; Hebrews 9:11-15).

The High Priest was a mediator between God and everyone else.

No one else had access into the Holy of Holies. No one else could offer up the blood of atonement. No one else could carry the burning coals and incense into the Holy of Holies. He alone had access into the presence of God. He was a mediator between God and man.

Moses said the burden was too great for him to bear.

Numbers 11:11-12 NKJV So Moses said to the Lord, “Why have You afflicted Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which You swore to their fathers? 

Numbers 11:13–14 NKJV Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep all over me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ I am not able to bear all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me. 

The burden was too great for Moses.

The people were constantly coming to him for help. Thousands of people constantly came with problems. They had problems all day and all night. They were hungry and thirsty. They had disturbances in their families. They wanted meat. They had physical and family needs and issues.

Moses told God: Numbers 11:15 NKJV If You treat me like this, please kill me here and now—if I have found favor in Your sight—and do not let me see my wretchedness!

He could not handle it. He would rather die than carry that burden.

When the burden was too great for Moses to bear, God instituted the priesthood.

Out of the Levites, the priests were called to carry out the daily ministry in the Tabernacle. Aaron was anointed and dedicated to become the first High Priest unto God.

The High Priest was the one man who could stand between God and the entire congregation.

When a person became leprous, he had to show himself to the priest. When anyone committed sin, he had to bring his sacrifice to the priest. When anyone transgressed, he came to the priest. He made reconciliation and sacrifices for the sins and cleansing of the people. He interceded to God on behalf of all of the needs of the people. He was a mediator to God for man. The High Priest had to carry these things to God.

Earthly priests could bear gently with the afflicted because they were also afflicted.

The High Priest was also burdened with his own sin and its consequences. He would become sick and faced temptation and sin. He had to offer up sacrifices for himself before he was able to offer sacrifices for others. He was just as needy as the people he ministered to.

Humanity needed a holy and sinless High Priest. Hebrews 3:1 NKJV Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus.

We have a superior High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Jesus is different from any other High Priest. He was sinless and holy. 1 Peter 1:19 says He was the sinless and spotless Lamb of God. Since He was without spot, our High Priest is able to offer true cleansing of our conscience, (Hebrews 9:14).

Hebrews 4:14–15 NKJV Seeing then that 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 

We have a Supreme High Priest who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities.

The cost of our redemption was laid upon Him. The basis for our healing was put upon His back. He is sufficient to bear all of our infirmity, guilt, shame, and sin. He actually took and bore our sin, guilt, shame, pain, and sickness upon Himself. He carried these things to the cross where He shed His life’s blood for us.

This is why the Psalmist says: 

Psalm 55:22 NKJV Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 81:6-7 NKJV I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble, and I delivered you. 

The Psalmist knew that he could not continue carrying his own burdens.

He had to have help. He was growing weak and weary with the load. His enemy was about to devour him. 

Psalm 34:4 NKJV I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

• Where can you go for help?
• Have you come into this house carrying your burdens?
• Have come with your sickness and your sin?
• Is the enemy on your case?

Moses cannot help you. The Old Testament High Priest cannot intercede for you.

We must turn our eyes upon Jesus Christ our High Priest.

All of the sinner’s debt was rolled over on Christ. Our disease was put on Him. Our diseases were made a part of Him. Our sin was made a part of Him. He was made sick with our sickness. He Who knew no sin was made sin with our sin.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 

Like no other High Priest, Jesus bore sins, sickness, and burdens.

This is why the Bible says: “Cast your care upon Him.”

Isaiah 53:4-6 NKJV Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

• What are you burdened with?
• Do you have a wayward son or daughter?
• Do you have an incurable disease?
• Are you burdened with the cares of this life?
• Have you reached a breaking point?

All of Israel came to the Tabernacle for help.

The Law required them to come there. If they were going to find forgiveness and atonement, they had to come. They could find help there. If they were to be cleansed, they had to come.

The High Priest would carry the blood of the sacrifice into the tabernacle before the presence of God.

He would sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat. The people would be free when the blood hit the mercy seat.

Jesus Christ is our High Priest.

Our High Priest has taken your burden into the heavenly Holy of Holies. He is in the presence of the Father. Your judgment has been put on Him. He is carrying your name into the presence of God.

Hebrews 4:16 NKJV Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.