Hebrews 4:14–5:14 (NKJV)
14 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. 15 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. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. 1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. 3 Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. 4 And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was. 5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.” 6 As He also says in another place: “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek”; 7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Considering Christ, our great High Priest, “let us hold fast our confession” (2:14). This is the opening encouragement of our text. The basis for this encouragement is then given: “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses.” The result of this is further encouragement: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” This “letter of encouragement” has one encouragement after another for us, all based in Christ—who He is and what He does for us.
However, this letter also contains a warning. The warning is that when we must listen properly to the message of Christ, lest, by being “dull of hearing,” we fail to grow spiritually in Him. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God.” Through neglect of the Word, we can become complacent, and then not grow in the Word as we should. Instead, we are to heed this warning to give proper attention to the Word and follow the admonition to grow spiritually in it, moving from spiritual milk to solid food. “But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” This spiritual maturity and accompanying ability are becoming increasingly rare in our culture, and, therefore, are all the more valuable. Our great High Priest calls us to Himself, encourages us in His Word, and nurtures us toward maturity in that same Word.
Let us pray: O God, who for Your glory and the salvation of the human race willed to establish Christ as the eternal High Priest, grant that the people He has gained for You by His blood, through their participation in faith, may experience the power of his cross and resurrection; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
