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 ultimate victory was achieved by Jesus Christ on the cross. He conquered sin, death (the consequence of sin), and Satan, the enemy of all humanity. But his victory isn’t limited to the afterlife. His victory wasn’t to just free us from the consequence of sin. His victory includes empowering us daily—moment by moment—with his divine strength to resist and overcome Satan and his temptation in every instance of struggle we face! The Christian life isn’t about waiting until heaven to find our victory. It’s about daily conquering the enemy of our souls and even our own sinful desires to live a holy life. This is the ultimate victory!
Our verses also remind us that temptation should never make us feel far from God or distant from him. Jesus was also tempted. Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, our holy example and pure sacrifice. Yes, that Jesus. He was “tempted in every way, just as we are.” He has experienced the same struggle. He feels our pain, our remorse, our weakness, our desire to be free. He gets us. He has felt what we are feeling and he remembers well the suffering of the day-by-day struggle. Don’t hide your feelings or your temptations from him. He has been where you are, and he knows how to achieve victory, even from that place. Take your temptations to him with confidence—not only confidence of the victory, but confidence in his acceptance of you while you’re still in your struggle.
Read the Context
Hebrews 4
Therefore, 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. 2 For 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] 3 Now 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. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c] 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore 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, 7 God 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]
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
12 For 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. 13 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.
14 Therefore, 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. 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.
Footnotes
Make it Personal
Practical Application
Talk to God
The ultimate victory was achieved by Jesus Christ on the cross. He conquered sin, death (the consequence of sin), and Satan, the enemy of all humanity. But his victory isn’t limited to the afterlife. His victory wasn’t to just free us from the consequence of sin. His victory includes empowering us daily—moment by moment—with his divine strength to resist and overcome Satan and his temptation in every instance of struggle we face! The Christian life isn’t about waiting until heaven to find our victory. It’s about daily conquering the enemy of our souls and even our own sinful desires to live a holy life. This is the ultimate victory!
Our verses also remind us that temptation should never make us feel far from God or distant from him. Jesus was also tempted. Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, our holy example and pure sacrifice. Yes, that Jesus. He was “tempted in every way, just as we are.” He has experienced the same struggle. He feels our pain, our remorse, our weakness, our desire to be free. He gets us. He has felt what we are feeling and he remembers well the suffering of the day-by-day struggle. Don’t hide your feelings or your temptations from him. He has been where you are, and he knows how to achieve victory, even from that place. Take your temptations to him with confidence—not only confidence of the victory, but confidence in his acceptance of you while you’re still in your struggle.
Read the Context
Hebrews 4
Therefore, 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. 2 For 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] 3 Now 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. 4 For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “On the seventh day God rested from all his works.”[c] 5 And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6 Therefore 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, 7 God 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]
8 For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works,[e] just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.
12 For 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. 13 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.
14 Therefore, 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. 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.
Footnotes
- Hebrews 4:2 Some manuscripts because those who heard did not combine it with faith
- Hebrews 4:3 Psalm 95:11; also in verse 5
- Hebrews 4:4 Gen. 2:2
- Hebrews 4:7 Psalm 95:7,8
- Hebrews 4:10 Or labor
- Hebrews 4:14 Greek has gone through the heavens
Make it Personal
- What temptations have I been ashamed to really pray about?
- How does it change my perspective to realize that Jesus has also struggled with temptation?
Practical Application
- The next time you ask God for strength or victory over a temptation, take a minute to share with him how you’re feeling about that temptation.
- Ask God to help you see Jesus not only as your savior, but also as your fellow soldier in battle.
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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