David Hathaway

'For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet he did not sin. 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' (Hebrews 4:15-16, NIV).  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 te