When I was serving as a Pastor in Indiana, we lived near a college and monastery named, “St. Mary of the Woods.” At the monastery there was a place for elderly folks for elderly folks to live from the area so often I went to there often to visit.
To be granted entrance to visit my members of our church there, I was required to gain approval from “Mother Superior or the Abbatissa” who was the nun in charge of the facility; and she was a pretty tough ole’ gal.
I remember going there often and every time I would see the “Mother Superior” although she knew me after several visits, she took joy in every time I went asking me who I was; even though she knew.
Each time I would provide clergy credentials, a card from the church I served as Pastor, and a list of the people I intended to see. Every time she saw my clergy credentials she would say: “You’re too young to be a Pastor.” Most of the time I would just smile and act like it was a compliment.
Yet, one day I was standing in front of Mother Superior and again she looked at my credentials and said: “You’re too young to me a Pastor.” And before I knew it I said: “You think that because you’ve been looking too long at old dried up and wrinkly Priests.”
At first she gave me a scowl and then started to laugh. Then she said: “Ok you youngster, for that you’ve got to go upstairs and visit with the Priest before you are granted entrance.” Sure enough, I was ushered upstairs to the rectory and had to visit the Priest. I confessed what I did, he laughed, I laughed, and believe it or not, from then on Mother Superior, the Priest, and I were friends.
Honestly, that’s the one and only time I have been sent to a Priest. It was less painful than I expected and afterward I was one of the only Protestants granted access to the facility without questioning. ?
Transition:
In Hebrews 4, as the chapter closes and chapter 5 opens, we find Jesus being presented to us as a Great High Priest that grants us access, not into earthly facilities; but into a Heavenly Throne room.
As believers, Jesus’ role as a Great High Priest is imperative. Without Jesus as the Great High Priest, our prayers would be a waste of breath, and our ability to find help in life would be empty.
In the last four verses of Hebrews 4, we see why Jesus presence in heaven to receive our prayers makes our praying powerful and effective. Again, without Jesus as our Great High Priest, our prayers would be useless.
When you pray, Jesus is present. He’s your High Priest. He’s involved intimately with your prayers. To help you have confidence in praying, the writer of Hebrews presents Jesus as the High Priest; helping you pray powerful prayers.
Transitional Sentence: In this passage, we know that our praying is powerful because as our High Priest Jesus:
I. Sees Everything
vs. 13- “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid out bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”
Explanation:
Recently, marketers have created something that people are buying and taping to doors. They are calling these the “I saw that door frame Jesus sign.” I’ve seen a few and find them interesting. They’re supposedly sold to help people feel accountable. You can buy one of these $2.90 off of eBay. Or $3.99 as a sticker off of “Great stuff for me.”
The writer of Hebrews knew he was writing to people who were tired, discouraged, and ready to throw in the towel as believers. In response, they had discontinued praying. Their hope and confidence in prayer had fallen by the wayside, and they were struggling to look up to Jesus for anything.
Yet, in this midst of this desert of discouragement; He points them to Jesus and encourages them to start talking to Him again. He presents Jesus as a High Priest who sees what they are going through. He knows their struggles and is the only one who can help.
In verse 13 he presents Jesus saying: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid out bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Vs. 13
There are two words used to describe how God is aware of everything in our life.
1. Judge
2. Open
In verse 12, he describes God and the ability of His Word. He says that together they are the “judge” of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The word “judge” is the word “kritikos” from which we get our word “critic.” A critic is a perfect discerner. He is able to perfectly examine all motives and intentions not the mention our beliefs. Literally, nothing is disguised with Him. He sees everything.
The word “open” was a word that was used in court and in the wrestling ring. Often the wrestlers of that day would take their opponent by the face so they would have to look at each other face to face. The opponent wanted to see perfectly the expression on their opponents face; there was no hiding the expressions such as fear, anger, or confidence. No feelings were hidden; He could see everything.
Likewise, the word was used in the courtroom, where the judge would take the face of the criminal and require him to face up to the one they had injured. They could not hide their face.
The writer of Hebrews was saying: You can’t hide your feelings from Jesus because He sees everything. Nothing is hidden.
He’s not only present, but He’s face to face with you. He’s looking deep into your life. Nothing escapes His attention. This should give you confidence in your praying.
He sees everything!
Illustration: Women can read your mind
How many of you know that women have a special ability to read people’s minds?
A new study published in the Journal of Molecular Psychiatry has reported:
Women are more likely to have a 'mind-reading' gene mutation that gives them the ability to read a person's thoughts and emotions by looking at their eyes ...
The scientists found that the genetic variants on chromosome 3 in women are associated with their ability to read the mind in the eyes — known as cognitive empathy ...
"This new study demonstrates that empathy is partly genetic, but we should not lose sight of other important social factors such as early upbringing and postnatal experience," said Professor Bourgeron.
Application:
The professor said that this new study just might boost the sale of men’s sunglasses! One professor said: “If women really could read their husbands minds, the result wouldn’t be “cognitive empathy,” it would be cognitive rage!”
Did you know that God knows the actual thoughts that go through our minds? Since this is true, why not simply have honest conversations with God. You have nothing to hide; He already sees it all.
The Bible says: “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account” (Hebrews 4:13).
Transitional Sentence: In this passage, we know that our praying is powerful because as our High Priest Jesus:
II. Has Experienced Everything
vs. 14-15- “Therefore, since 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 cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
Explanation:
One of the most amazing things about God is that our God who is “eternal” made Himself into “mortal man.”
Christmas is no small thing. By becoming flesh Jesus experienced everything we experience. Can you understand that God, by becoming human, placed himself under the shadow of death. Death was alien to God because God is completely eternal.
Not only that but He placed himself in the chaos of grief. The Bible says that Jesus was “ a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” People emotionally injured Jesus. Jesus experienced physical pain. Jesus wept (for Pete’s sake) --- Jesus came into the world as one of us and suffered as we do.
There were no limits to what Satan could throw at Jesus. He was subjected to everything the enemy throws at us-- yet He did not sin.
Jesus lived in your skin. He knows the temptations you are experiencing. He knows what it is like to fight off fears and come face to face with temptation. He knows what it is like to be exhausted.
The Bible tells us that we have a High Priest that “passed through the heavens.” Vs. 14
When Jacob saw his vision of heaven he saw something like a ladder. He saw angels “descending” and “ascending.”
Jesus descended down from the heavenly portals to enter a womb like a human; yes, like you and me. Yet, in glory He was lifted up like Elijah from the Mount of Olives and ascended into Heaven as Divine High Priest who was transferred to His rightful throne of sit at the right hand of God and make intercession ( to pray) for us.
Jesus knew his High Priestly role as He told Peter: “Satan has sought permission to sift you like wheat put I have “prayed” or “made intercession” for you.”
Verse 15 says that Jesus “sympathizes” with us. The word “sympathize” (sympatheo) which is a combo word of two words. One word means “connection” and the other means “compassion.”
It is a medical term that goes beyond flesh and speaks of a connection with deep feelings.
2 Corinthians 1:4 says: “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (NLT)
Jesus saw pain with His eyes and heard the fear of people with His ears.
Here’s a Biblical short list of the things Jesus went through:
1. He was homeless (Matt. 8.20)
2. His family thought he was crazy (Matt. 12.46; Mk. 3.21; Jn. 7.5)
3. His best friends turned their back on him (Matt. 26.56)
4. One of his closest confidants sold him to be killed for pocket change (Matt. 26.46-50)
5. He stood face to face with the devil and endured all of his demonic tricks (Luke 4.1-13)
6. He dealt with death (Jn. 11.1-45)
7. He endured gossip and slander (Matt. 12.24; Jn. 8.52)
8. He endured suffering for doing what was right (Jn. 15.20)
9. He was shamed publicly (Mk. 14.65)
10. He endured periods of hunger (Mk. 11.12ff)
11. He received criticism of his ministry (Jn. 5; Matt. 12)
12. His theology was mocked (pick a verse!!)
13. His message was rejected (pick a verse!!)
14. His preaching was critiqued (Luke 4)
15. His disciples didn’t “get it” (pick a verse!)
He even endured complete and utter separation from God so that you would never, ever, ever have to!!
Yet, do you know what you have because Jesus ascended? You have someone sitting next to God the Father who know you. You’ve got a friend in high places and guess what? He’s your High Priest.
As your High Priest Jesus is:
a) Watching over you.
b) Praying for you.
c) Securing your inheritance
d) Lifting us up. He is the lifter of our head. Psalm 3:3
e) Lord over your battles. I Samuel 17:47
f) Forgives our sins.
Illustration: George Bush shaves his head in sympathy
Former President George W Bush did something a US President had never done in 2103. He saw several of his secret service agents with their heads shaved so he asked: “Why did you shave your heads?”
They explained that one of the sons of his secret service team named Patrick had leukemia so in sympathy and support of him, George H W. Bush shaved his head alongside the 20 other service team members. Here’s a pic:
The picture went viral, Patrick’s Mom (Alexandra) cried, Mrs. Bush said she thought he looked more handsome and younger, and the national outpouring of love and prayers for Patrick came in. All because a man in high places shaved his head.
Application:
We are moved when people of notoriety sacrifice out of sympathy; even if its sacrificing a little hair.
Yet, think about what Jesus; the Son of God has done for you. He “passed through the heavens” not to just show He cared; but to live, die, raise, and take His place eternally as your advocate and intercessor as a High Priest.
This ought to make you want to pray shouldn’t it? It ought to make you want to run to that High Priest who did all He did just for you so you could pray and know God hears, and so you can trust He’s secured heaven for you.
When you pray, Jesus is there.
When you die, Jesus is there.
He’s there. He’s felt your pain and He’s watching over you. That’s why we pray in the name of Jesus. He’s the one and only High Priest that waiting for your call. He’s been through it all; and He’s willing to go through it all for you.
Transitional Sentence: In this passage, we know that our praying is powerful because as our High Priest Jesus:
III. Is Expecting You
vs. 16- Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Explanation:
With all this said about Jesus as our High Priest, we are then offered heavens welcome mat. We receive a personal invitation to pray.
God commands us; he doesn’t ask. He instructs us to “draw near with confidence.” He’s saying: “Don’t be shy. Don’t hesitate when you need mercy. If you’ve sinned; come to High Priest that offers grace and forgiveness. If you’re scared, come to the one who calms seas. If you are empty, come to the one who is the fullness of all things.”
Verse 16 is like a banner. It’s an invitation to come to the throne of God and it’s a throne of grace and mercy.
The ancient rulers were unapproachable. Most would not even allow the highest-ranking officials to come in their presence without permission.
In the Book of Esther, Queen Esther risked her life to come into the throne room of her husband; he could have taken her life.
Yet, any penitent person, no matter how undeserving they might feel is not only given an invitation; they are given an open invitation; day or night to come to the throne room and find Jesus; the High Priest present, waiting, and wanting them to come.
By Christ’s sacrifice of Himself; the door has been opened and we walk the “blood sprinkled” way into the throne room. He sympathizes and saves us. That’s who Jesus is. He’s made a way because He is the way.
Don’t have low expectations of God. Come on in: He’s expecting you.
Conclusion: Grasping- The Human Fly
In June of 1910, The Los Angeles Herald carried the story about the death of the “human fly.” The man’s real name was Steeplejack Charles Miller.
This man would crawl up the walls of skyscrapers by clinging to window ledges; putting his fingers in the little crevasses in the bricks and pulling himself up. People were amazed at his ability because he could climb up a sheer wall almost like a fly.
On one particular day he was going up the wall of a huge department store in Los Angeles. There was a crowd watching him as the policemen were holding the crowd back, and they watched him climb up window ledge after window ledge, crevasse after crevasse. He was making his way carefully up the sides of this building until he almost came to the roof.
Yet, as he stood on a ledge, the roof was right within his reach; yet it was a stretch. As he inspected his situation, he caught glimpse of something he thought he could grab on to.
So in a leap of faith, he jumped, grabbed what was protruding from the roof ledge and unfortunately fell to his death. As people gathered over his body, they opened his hand and noticed that inside his hand was the crust of a spider web; He had put his faith in something that could not hold him and it cost him His life.
As you reach out for help and hope today; you will have a hand in heaven that will take hold of you. It’s a nail-scarred hand of a High Priest who’s hand is not too short to save.
It’s the secure hand of the Savior; His name is Jesus.
