Devotion:
Read Hebrews 4:14-16.
A Jewish audience would be completely comfortable with this talk of a "great high priest" because they were familiar with the ritual need of a sin bearer. Once a year the high priest entered the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem Temple to perform a sacrifice of blood which would bring forgiveness to God's people.
But Hebrews tells us that our "great high priest" lives forever, and he does not only enter the Holy of Holies once a year. Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of God all the time. Our High Priest is able to sympathize with us because he understands us. He suffered and was tempted as we are. So we are to hold firmly to that belief and boldly go to him in our time of need. We need not be ashamed to speak exactly what is on our hearts. When we boldly pray, we will receive mercy. Jesus is willing to simply give us what we need, and all we have to do is open our heart and by faith receive it. Notice the closing words in our passage today, “in our time of need.” The phrase is a translation of the Greek word “boetheia,” a word with a military connotation. In the world of the early New Testament, it was a military word that called soldiers to battle. This military word depicted the exact moment when a soldier heard that his fellow fighter was entrenched in battle, captured, or struggling. Once alerted to this situation, the soldier quickly went into battle to fight for the safety and well-being of his fellow fighter. Just hearing of the need sent the soldier into battle.
When we get into trouble and we tell Jesus about it, he goes into battle like a Mighty Warrior to be our defense and to secure our deliverance!
Personal Worship Option:
Use this passage today as a prayer:
Dear Lord, let us hold firmly to what we believe and go boldly to you, receive your mercy, find your grace and get help in our time of need. We call on you to fight our battles and keep us safe, secure, and protected. Amen.
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