Daily Encouragementنموونە

“We have a high priest” - that must have been an encouraging thought to the godly Israelite in the far-off days of the desert wanderings. And yet he personally stood a long way from the holy place, let alone the holiest of all. How much more encouraging it is for us to contemplate the fact, that “we have a great high priest . . . Jesus the Son of God,” and that we have drawn near to God through him.

“We have a great high priest.” He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Passing through the heavens has not divested him of any of the compassion which he displayed here below. He too has experienced temptation, feeling its full force as only the sinless One can. All that priesthood involves - sacrifice, intercession, blessing - he perfectly fulfils. We come to God by him, and in doing so obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

“We have a great high priest.” This truth is meant to tighten our grip - “let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.”

The point of what we are saying is this: “We do have such a high priest” (Heb. 8:1). What better word of encouragement could we have?

With joy we meditate the grace
Of our High Priest above;
His heart is made of tenderness
And yearns with pitying love.