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Thursday, October 26, 2023

Hebrews 4:14-16 Jesus The Great High Priest = Week 43 - Thursday

Jesus The Great High Priest

Hebrews 4:14-16



Reminder: Pray to God to set your heart right as you engage His word. The text you are about to study was not written to you but is written for you. So, before applying we must ask the following questions:
  • What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
READ THE SCRIPTURE (Multiple times & translations and notice the words that standout)
Biblegateway (NIV) (My choice of all-round site. It is a great app, better on computers or on a smartphone)
StepBible (ESV) (Great on phone or computer with good resources.)
Literal Word  (New American Standard Bible) (Works well on a smartphone or computer + for searching for words like a printed concordance)
Biblia.com (New Century Version) (Great on a computer especially if you have a logos account)


Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the scriptural story in your own words.

  • Review and retell the story.



Themes
Jesus as the Great High Priest

Topics
The High Priesthood of Jesus


Potential Sermon Titles: ??

Intro Questions to get us thinking:

ESV Text with Highlights
#God =
#People = God, Jesus, Israelites, The readers of the letter, High Priests
#Time =
#PlaceCanaan (implied through references to the "Promised Land"), Heaven (implied through discussions of God's rest)
#Obedient faith
#Sin
#Key Idea

Hebrews 4:14-16 ESV

Jesus the Great High Priest

14Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15For 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. 16Let 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.






OBSERVATIONS (Reflect on the topic and build the concept the writer is trying to communicate to the original audience)
ebible (NLT) (Best for having Bible sections divided by "pericope" or sections by thought)
Bible Project (NLT) (Helpful videos and instructions for the bigger picture)
Thematic Bible (Books and Chapters Structure)
Bible Hub = Outline, Themes, Topics, People, Locations, and Questions

Hebrews 4:14-16 is a significant passage in the New Testament book of Hebrews that emphasizes the importance of faith in Jesus Christ. Let's break down this passage and summarize its key points.

Main themes

  1. Jesus as the Great High Priest
  2. Encouragement to hold firmly to faith
  3. Jesus' ability to sympathize with human weaknesses
  4. Approaching God's throne with confidence

Verse 14

Jesus as the Great High Priest (v. 14)

Encouragement to hold firmly to faith (v. 14)

This verse introduces the concept of Jesus Christ as our High Priest. It emphasizes that He is greater than any earthly high priest because He has entered heaven itself. The passage encourages believers to cling to their faith in Jesus, recognizing His divine nature as the Son of God.

This emphasizes Christ's unique role as both divine and human, serving as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity.

The author urges believers to "hold firmly to the faith we profess," highlighting the importance of perseverance and steadfastness in one's spiritual journey.

Verse 15

Jesus' ability to sympathize (v. 15)

The text emphasizes that Jesus can sympathize with human weaknesses because He was "tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin." This underscores Christ's humanity and His ability to understand and relate to human struggles.

This verse highlights a crucial aspect of Jesus' role as our High Priest. Unlike human priests who couldn't truly understand our struggles, Jesus has experienced temptation just as we have. However, unlike us, He remained sinless throughout His life. This verse emphasizes Jesus' ability to relate to humanity's weaknesses and temptations.

Verse 16

Approaching God's throne with confidence (v. 16)

This final verse concludes the thought by encouraging believers to approach God confidently through faith in Jesus Christ. It reminds us that because of Jesus' role as High Priest, we can draw near to God without fear or hesitation. We can seek His mercy and grace when we face challenges or difficulties in life.

It promises that those who do so will "receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need," emphasizing God's accessibility and willingness to provide support to His followers. In essence, this passage offers comfort and encouragement to believers by highlighting Jesus' role as a compassionate high priest and urging them to approach God boldly in times of need.

In summary, Hebrews 4:14-16 emphasizes the following key points:

  1. Jesus Christ is our great High Priest who has entered heaven itself.
  2. Unlike human priests, Jesus understands our weaknesses having been tempted yet remaining sinless.
  3. Because of this relationship, we can approach God's throne of grace with confidence.
  4. We can seek mercy and grace in times of need through faith in Jesus.

This passage encourages believers to trust in Jesus' role as our mediator before God, emphasizing the importance of faith and confidence in our relationship with Him.





STUDY RESOURCES (This takes some work and here are more resources than you can go through completely)
NETBible (New English Translation) (Great for original text/manuscript information)
BlueLetter  (King James Version) (A variety of resources and good on Phones / better on Computers)
BibleHub (HCSB) (Good on computer or app/phone with lots of well-organized information.)
BibleHub (BSB) (Good on computer or app/phone with lots of well-organized information.)
BibleRef.com (New King James Version) Basic able to compare core translations.
StudyLight (Amplified Bible) (Great site with commentaries by Burton Coffman)
KnowingJesus (Phone / Computer and great for comparing translations)
Bible.com (Lexham English Bible) App is best on a mobile device.
  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?



APPLICATION (God wants us all to arrive at action, life-changing faith)
ESV (English Standard Version) Good translation with some helpful resources.
Biblegateway (Christian Standard Bible) has some application resources.
The Message (MSG) (An easy-to-read paraphrase that helps some with application)
Heartlight (Great for practical application of scripture)

  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • What transformative move needs to be made?
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.


Take Away Challenges

  • What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

  • Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

  • What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?



  • Other YouTube Videos
SearchTV


Tempted as We Are, Yet Without Sin (Hebrews 4:14-16) - Lesson 13


  • Articles

  • Devotions
A GOD WHO UNDERSTANDS

There's a man trying to cross the street. As he steps off the curb, a car comes screaming around the corner and heads straight for him. The man walks faster, trying to hurry across the street, but the car changes lanes and is still coming at him.

So the guy turns around to go back, but the car changes lanes again and is still coming at him.

By now, the car is so close and the man so scared that he just freezes and stops in the middle of the road.

The car gets real close, then swerves at the last possible moment and screeches to a halt right next him.

The driver rolls down the window. The driver is a squirrel. The squirrel says to the man says, "See, it's not as easy as it looks, is it?"

There have been times when I've discovered that experiencing something is more difficult than it looks. For example, when I was younger, I was full of ideas on how parents ought to be raising their children. However, after having three of my own, I've discovered that "it's not as easy as it looks."

Maybe there was a time when you thought someone ought to be handling a divorce or a death in the family better than they do. But after experiencing it for yourself, you found out that "it's not as easy as it looks."

Sometimes there's no way to know what it feels like to go through something without actually experiencing it yourself. That's why the incarnation is so important. There's no way we can say to God, "Living here on this earth -- it's not as easy as it looks!" God knows. He's taken on flesh and blood and walked this earth. He's experienced temptation, frustration, persecution, disappointment and a host of human emotions. He knows how tough it is. He understands. And that's why He is in a position to be of help to us.

"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." (Heb. 4:15-16)

It's true. Living life on this earth is "not as easy as it looks." But may you find comfort today in knowing that God understands that more that you can begin to imagine.

  • Links 


    Please let me know if you find any broken links or corrections that need to be made. Thank you for the help to make this most useful.


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