A Great High Priest Who Can Sympathize

In one paragraph

This message came from Hebrews 4:14 through 5:10, with the pastor walking the congregation back through the "let us" statements gathered so far in the letter before pressing into the passage's picture of Jesus as our great high priest. The connecting thread was that Christians need to pay close attention to what they have already heard, and that paying attention to who Jesus is as priest gives...

Read together

1. 2 Corinthians 1:20 quoted to affirm that all God's promises are fulfilled in Christ with a resounding yes, and our amen ascends to God for his glory
2. Hebrews 4:14-5:10 the main passage being preached through, covering the great high priest who passed through the heavens
3. Psalm 2:7 quoted twice already in Hebrews and again here: God says to Jesus, you are my son, today I have begotten you
4. Psalm 110:4 quoted as God swearing that Jesus is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek
5. 1 John 1:9 referenced to affirm that if you confess your sins, God is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse from all unrighteousness
6. Philippians 2 referenced to note that Christ humbled and emptied himself and was given the name above every name
7. Isaiah 40:31 used as the benediction: those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength, soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary

Talk about it

1. Pastor Mark reviewed several 'let us' statements from Hebrews before getting into the main text. What stands out to you about the fact that the writer of Hebrews includes himself in those commands rather than just telling his readers what to do?
2. Pastor Mark said that the priestly system of the Old Testament was set up to point toward Christ, and that we all need saving, including him personally. How does admitting that you need a savior sit with you, and does it get easier or harder over time?
3. The sermon touched on the idea that Jesus was tempted in every way we are, yet without sin, and that He did it not by magic but by complete submission to the Holy Spirit, a resource available to believers. What does that mean for how you face temptation in your own life?
4. Pastor Mark described the throne of grace as a place we can draw near to with confidence, in contrast to a throne of judgment. What makes it hard in practice to actually approach God with that kind of confidence, and what gets in the way for you?
5. The Old Testament high priest had to deal with his own sin debt before he could make atonement for others, and the rope tied to his ankle showed how seriously people took that. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus had no such debt of His own, and how does that change what He offers?