Christ Is Our High Priest

[Note: This is part one of a two part series]

In my previous blog entry I mentioned that it crucial for us to go beyond just the academic knowledge of God and learn to grow into relational and experiential knowledge. Below I have listed some verses from the book of Hebrews, chapter four, verses 14 -16. I have included several different translations for verse 16 in order to help the reader approach the process of turning this theological truth into an experiential knowledge. This is how I have learned to grow in relationship with the Father through the Son.

Jesus made it possible for us to be in relationship with our heavenly Father this side of heaven; it is not some “pie in the sky” or “when the circle is unbroken…in the sky, in the sky” kind of relationship. While those may have been fun songs for their day and encouraged those folks, I believe that Jesus tells and shows us throughout the gospels how we can have access to the kingdom of heaven, while we are still here on the earth. This is one of the central messages in “The Sermon on the Mount,” and in particular, “The Beatitudes.”

So, what I would ask you to do is read these selections and then practice applying them using the questions below the verses.

Christ Is Our High Priest: Hebrews 4:14 – 16:

New King James Version:
Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15- For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.16 -Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16

New Living Translation:
So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
Hebrews 4:16

Amplified Bible:
Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Hebrews 4:16

Young's Literal Translation:
We may come near, then, with freedom, to the throne of the grace, that we may receive kindness, and find grace -- for seasonable help.
Hebrews 4:16

Contemporary English Bible:
So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.
Hebrews 4:16

New Life Version:
Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.
Hebrews 4:16

Okay, now take a few moments to stop and ask yourself: “How would my life be different if I actually practiced what I have read and not just memorized the words, or mused over the idea of them?” Actually, think about behaving them out, practicing truth and experiencing relationship.

What would it look like when: the boss [or your: spouse, parent, sibling] is unfair to you, or someone treats you with contempt, or you are accused falsely, or you go unnoticed when you have tried very hard to be noticed? I could go on and on and on with different scenarios, but I believe you get the point. It is not enough to read the words and develop right and accurate – even spiritual sounding answers, these will not get us through the bad, hard or even good times.

It is by learning to cultivate our relationship with the Father that we turn our head knowledge into relationship knowledge. Our Sunday school answers are the right place to start, but to grow, to be transformed and experience the peace of the Father here on earth we need to learn to go further than our heads. So please take some time, and ask God to show you how your daily life might look different if you were to practice running to His throne of mercy when you need help and then write down what comes to mind. That is where experience begins, by talking and then listening.