Hebrews 4:14-16
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. 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. 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 4:14-16 NIV
Devotional
“The Word Made Flesh”
One of the most staggering truths in all of Scripture is that God did not remain distant. He entered into human experience. Jesus became tired. He became hungry. He wept. He suffered. He knows what it is to carry the weight of being human. John explains that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Hebrews reminds us that because Jesus was fully human, He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He is not a high priest who looks down from a distance with indifference. He is the one who walked through the same darkness we face and came out the other side victorious. The Son of God became the Son of Man so that sons and daughters of men could become children of God.
Read the Context
Hebrews 4 NIV
1Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. (a) 3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” (b)
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” (c) 5And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.” (d)
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, e just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing 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.
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, (f) Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For 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. 16Let 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.
Footnotes:
a 2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
b 3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
c 4 Gen. 2:2
d 7 Psalm 95:7,8
e 10 Or labor
f 14 Greek has gone through the heavens
Make it Personal
In what area of your life do you most need to remember that Jesus understands what you are going through?
Practical Application
Bring one specific struggle to God in prayer today, trusting that Jesus is moved by what you are carrying.
Talk to God
“The Word Made Flesh”
One of the most staggering truths in all of Scripture is that God did not remain distant. He entered into human experience. Jesus became tired. He became hungry. He wept. He suffered. He knows what it is to carry the weight of being human. John explains that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Hebrews reminds us that because Jesus was fully human, He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. He is not a high priest who looks down from a distance with indifference. He is the one who walked through the same darkness we face and came out the other side victorious. The Son of God became the Son of Man so that sons and daughters of men could become children of God.
Read the Context
Hebrews 4 NIV
1Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. (a) 3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ” (b)
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world. 4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.” (c) 5And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6Therefore since it still remains for some to enter that rest, and since those who formerly had the good news proclaimed to them did not go in because of their disobedience, 7God again set a certain day, calling it “Today.” This he did when a long time later he spoke through David, as in the passage already quoted:
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.” (d)
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, e just as God did from his. 11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
12For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13Nothing 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.
14Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, (f) Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15For 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. 16Let 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.
Footnotes:
a 2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
b 3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
c 4 Gen. 2:2
d 7 Psalm 95:7,8
e 10 Or labor
f 14 Greek has gone through the heavens
Make it Personal
In what area of your life do you most need to remember that Jesus understands what you are going through?
Practical Application
Bring one specific struggle to God in prayer today, trusting that Jesus is moved by what you are carrying.
Talk to God
- What part of God’s character do I want to praise him for?
- What do I want to thank God for?
- Do I have any unconfessed sin?
- What do I need God’s help with?
- What questions do I have?
- Do I need direction? Do I know how God wants me to serve him today?
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