At the end of last year, YouVersion highlighted the top 10 Bible verses that were shared the most. I found the list interesting and thought that it could be helpful to understand them in their original context. Today we are looking at Hebrews 4:15—which according to YouVersion was the fifth-most shared verse in 2013.
The Verse:
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. (Hebrews 4:15 ESV)
The Context:
The letter to the Hebrews was written as a type of sermonic letter to encourage people to remain faithful to Jesus in the midst of persecution and the difficulties of life. Some have speculated, and I believe it is quite likely, that the audience of this letter is being persecuted by unbelieving Jews. In the midst of such persecution it would be attractive for them to shrink back into a type of Judaism and not hold fast to their confession. The author of Hebrews warns against such apostasy.
The way that the author warns his audience is brilliant and beautiful. Throughout the book he exalts Christ as superior to everything. This serves as both an encouragement and as a warning. This truth encourages them to press on because Christ is superior to all. But it also serves as a warning because if Christ alone can pay for our sins, rejecting him means that “there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment” (10:26-27).
In Hebrews 4 the author is building up his argument that Jesus Christ is the great high priest. He is greater than angels and he is greater than Moses. He alone is the means by which we enter into God’s rest.
Hebrews 4:12-13 leaves the reader laid bare before the penetrating word of God. If one were listening to this sermon for the first time at this point you would be crying out for a great high priest to cover you from the “eyes of him to whom we must give account”.
Thankfully we do have such a high priest. And it’s a high priest that is able to not only atone but also to sympathize with our weakness. Hebrews 4:14-16 begins a new section that will show that Christ not only sympathizes with us but he has also made a once-for-all sacrifice to secure the redemption of those that hold fast to their confession.
The Meaning:
Hebrews 4:15 is such a comforting verse. It is not surprising that this is one of the most shared verses. Christians often feel the weight of our weakness. It is comforting to know that Christ was tempted in the same way that we are. It is a great comfort to know that in the midst of our struggles we have one that truly understands what it means to be human.
It is also comforting to know that Christ endured the difficulty of temptation and he did it without sin. It is one thing to have someone empathize as a fellow struggler. It is quite another thing to have someone empathize but to do so from the position of a conqueror.
It is also worth noting that Hebrews 4:15 provides the meat to a sandwich of exhortation. In Hebrews 4:14 we are told that since we have such a high priest we must “hold fast our confession”. And in Hebrews 4:16 we are encouraged to confidently draw near the throne of grace.
On one side you have a subtle warning that to not “hold fast our confession” will lead to us rejecting the only fitting high priest to atone for our sins. And on the other side we have a precious encouragement to boldly enter into the presence of the Lord to receive the grace that has been purchased for us. Christ is like an immovable doorstop into the throne room of heaven. Grace is always ours.
Conclusion:
To really grasp the beauty of Hebrews 4:15 one needs to consider the two verses that surround it. The of Jesus Christ the great high priest serves as a subtle warning and a warm invitation on the other.
Let the truth of a sympathetic savior draw you, a desperate sinner, into the throne room of grace.
