Paul writes in v14, Hebrews 4, ‘Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities – He was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.’ Because our High Priest, Jesus, HAD to come and live here for 33 years and face the same problems, temptations and weaknesses as we do – He is sympathetic to us, touched by our weaknesses! Therefore, v16, ‘Let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’ God is aware of our frailties, our weaknesses, our difficulties. In the Jewish religion, the people had a high priest who could enter the earthly Holy of Holies on their behalf once a year only – but the real High Priest is Jesus, who constantly lives in the Presence of God. He is God. But He is not aloof; He lived with us, He faced and understands the same problems and temptations we face.
Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come 'boldly'. Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask Him to meet their needs. Others pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is our King. But also come with bold assurance because He is your Friend and Counsellor.
Chapter 5 of Hebrews stresses both Christ's divine appointment and His humanity. The writer uses two Old Testament verses to show Christ's divine appointment (Psalms 2:7; 110:4). At the time this book was written, the Romans selected the high priest in Jerusalem. In the Old Testament, however, God chose Aaron, and only Aaron's descendants could be high priests. Christ, like Aaron, was chosen and called by God.
During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10, NIV)
Jesus was in great agony as he prepared to face death. Although Jesus cried out to God, asking to be delivered, He was prepared to suffer humiliation, separation from His Father, and death in order to do God’s will. At times we will undergo trials, not because we want to suffer, but because we want to obey God. Let Jesus’ obedience sustain and encourage you in times of trial. You will be able to face anything if you know Jesus is with you.