Hebrews 4:14–15 (ESV)

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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.”

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Introduction

There was once a young man who lived a sinful and lustful life. Yet his mother prayed sacrificially for him every day for nearly 17 years, often weeping through the night for his soul. She endured humiliation, rejection, and heartache because of his behavior. Still, she continued to love him, support him, and ask God to bring him home. This was the mother of a well-known 4th-century theologian named Augustine. His mother, Monica, did not stop pleading with God for the salvation of Augustine, and she did so sacrificially.¹

In the history of mankind, however, there was one man who gave Himself as a sacrifice for all His people. He is the Great High Priest, the perfect man, the Son of God, who always intercedes for us.

In the Old Testament, Israel had high priests who offered sacrifices for the sins of the people. They alone were allowed to enter the Holy Tabernacle, the Holy of Holies. But before entering, the high priest had to purify himself by washing his whole body and putting on the holy garments (Leviticus 16:3–4). The consequence of failing to do so was serious—physical death—because God is holy.

Now, why is Jesus Christ called the Great High Priest? Scripture gives us many answers, especially in the book of Hebrews. I will only highlight three main reasons:

1. He is the only perfect and sinless man in the order of Melchizedek.

2. He is the only priest who holds His priesthood permanently.

3. He is the only High Priest who is able to truly sympathize with our weaknesses.

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I. He is the only perfect and sinless man in the order of Melchizedek

“And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:9–10

In the Old Testament, Melchizedek, king of Salem, blessed Abraham and praised God. He was also the first priest mentioned in Scripture (Genesis 14:18). Later, Israel had its own priestly tribe, the Levites, from the descendants of Levi. Aaron was the first ordained priest in Israel, and all other priests came from this tribe.

Priests were essential because they functioned as mediators between God and men. They offered sacrifices before the Lord so that Israel could maintain a right relationship with God (Exodus 28:43). However, these priests were not perfect. Their offerings could never fully satisfy the Father’s wrath against sin, which is why sacrifices had to be repeated again and again.

But here comes the Son of God, the man Christ Jesus. This God-man is perfectly holy and righteous. He is the Great High Priest, not by lineage, but by superiority. If you read His genealogy in Luke and Matthew, you will not find Melchizedek, nor was He from the line of Levi. Why then is He called a priest after the order of Melchizedek? Because Melchizedek was the very first priest before the Levites existed.

This reveals that Jesus Christ is superior to every priest from the line of Levi. He is greater than Aaron, and even greater than Melchizedek. He is the only one who can provide a perfect sacrificial offering—not by doves, lambs, or bulls, but by His own body and blood. With everything Christ has done, we can boldly declare: He is our salvation.

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II. He is the only priest who holds His priesthood permanently

“But he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:24–25 (ESV)

As mentioned earlier, Jesus is not just greater than the priests before Him. He is eternal. He is the Great High Priest not only during His earthly life and death, but even today. Christ, who was raised from the dead and now sits on His throne, shows that He lives forever. Because He is eternal, He remains the Great High Priest for all who trust in Him. Matthew Henry explains why we need a permanent High Priest:

“There can be no vacancy in this priesthood, no hour nor moment in which the people are without a priest to negotiate their spiritual concerns in heaven. Such a vacancy might be very dangerous and prejudicial to them; but this is their safety and happiness, that this ever-living high priest is able to save to the utmost—in all times, in all cases, in every juncture—all who come to God by him… So that here is a manifest alteration much for the better.”²

We need a permanent Great High Priest—a perfect, holy, and righteous mediator who intercedes for us forever. That can only be found in Jesus Christ.

 

III. The only High Priest who is able to sympathize with our weaknesses

“Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 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 4:14–15 (ESV)

 

The high priests of the Old Testament could sympathize with people’s struggles to some degree. But when it came to sin and temptation, they themselves often failed.

• Aaron was pressured by Israel to make a golden calf—and he gave in (Exodus 32:1–4).

• The two sons of Eli were priests, yet they lived wickedly (1 Samuel 2:12).

But our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ, was tempted many times by Satan, yet He remained sinless. He alone can truly sympathize with our weaknesses because He experienced temptation but never fell into sin.

 

Conclusion

We need Jesus Christ. We need a Savior. We need the Great High Priest—superior, unchanging, permanent, eternal, and able to sympathize with our weaknesses. We all fall into sin. We break God’s law. We provoke His anger. Because of our sin, we deserve death. But Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, offered His life, paid the debt of our sins with His blood, and rose again after three days to declare victory over death. Now He is our permanent High Priest. No one else can offer such a once-for-all sacrifice except Him. He is our mediator, and He forever intercedes for us, for His people. Therefore, repent of your sins and trust in Him alone.

 

References

¹ 24 Servants of God by John Piper

² Matthew Henry Commentary on Hebrews (BLB app)

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Authored by: Chris John Apinan