The Great High Priest
by Pastor Glenn Crouch
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For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15a).
Read Hebrews 4:14 – 5:6
Today, we start with one of the major arguments of the writer to the Hebrews: that Jesus is our High Priest, and he is greater than any other priest.
When Jesus ascended (body and soul) into the heavenly realm, he took on the role of our Great High Priest. He is the one who stands before the Father on our behalf and proclaims that those who put their trust in him (Jesus) are forgiven – and have peace with God (Romans 5:1). As our High Priest, Jesus also reveals the Father to us. He shows us how much the Father loves us.
But the news gets even better! Our Lord Jesus was made flesh. He was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived the sort of life we all do – with the various challenges and difficulties we all face. He suffered under Pontius Pilate and was crucified. He died and was buried – until the Father raised him from the dead. Jesus was and is one of us. However, he is also God the Son. Through the incarnation, our Lord and Saviour is both fully God and fully man.
Think about this. Our High Priest understands us. He can relate to all we go through. Where we are weak, he is strong. We fail to save ourselves, but Jesus saved all of us and continues to be there for us!
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling Jesus to be my Great High Priest. Thank you that through Jesus, I have confidence that you hear my prayers. Thank you that through his life, death and resurrection, not only do I have peace with you, but you look upon me with favour. Praise be to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus! Amen.
Glenn Crouch was born in Brisbane, baptised in the Methodist Church, and married Karen in a Reformed Baptist Church. They moved to Kalgoorlie in Western Australia 37 years ago, where Glenn worked as a lecturer in computing. After serving as a Baptist pastor, Glenn joined the Lutheran Church with Karen in 1995. Glenn served as a lay preacher, which led to him becoming a Specific Ministry Pastor, and then a General Ministry Pastor. Recently Glenn and Karen have bundled everything up and moved to Esperance, Western Australia, where Glenn has his first full-time paid ministry role as pastor of St John’s in Esperance and St Paul’s in Kalgoorlie–Boulder.
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