Hebrews 4:14-5:4

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

1 Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent them in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3 This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

Questions to consider:

• Compare and contrast Aaron and Jesus as high priest.
• What are the qualifications for a priest? What is his purpose?
• How do the qualifications of Jesus as high priest enable you to act in accord with verse 16?
• In honesty, what is your attitude toward (a) the ignorant and (b) the wayward?

Possibilities for prayer:

It seems to reflect the generosity and grace of God that the fact that Jesus was tempted just as we are gives us the space to approach God’s throne with confidence--even though Jesus did not succumb to temptation and we do. Approaching God’s throne-- repenting and seeking forgiveness-- should not be a frightening thing because God wants to grant us mercy and give us grace to help us in our time of need. Today, let’s thank God for the mercy and grace that we are consistently extended, despite our unworthiness.