READING: Hebrews 1-6
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: Jesus is greater than all — greater than the angels, greater than Abraham, greater than Moses, greater than Joshua, greater than Aaron — that’s one of the central themes of the book of Hebrews. In fact, think about how He is the great High Priest to whom we can turn when we face temptation.
First, He is our great High Priest because He became one of us. The only one who could serve as a mediator between God and man is the One who actually was both— Jesus. He suffered God’s wrath on our behalf, but He is also able to help us because He has suffered and been tested like we have: “Therefore, He had to be like His brothers in every way, so that He could become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tested and has suffered, He is able to help those who are tested” (Heb. 2:17-18).
Second, He is a great High Priest because He has been tested in all ways like we have been, yet without sin. That’s actually amazing to me: there’s nothing I’m faced with in temptation that Jesus hasn’t already conquered. He’s neither alarmed nor overwhelmed by the rottenness of my temptations; instead, He has already broken their power by His obedience: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tested in every way as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15).
Third, He is a great High Priest because we can go boldly to Him in times of temptation: “Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time” (Heb. 4:16). I don’t have to fear turning to Him when the enemy tries to lure me into sin.
Our great High Priest has faced and defeated anything we face today. For that reason, we can—and must— run to Him when temptation stares us in the face. He then grants us mercy and grace to win. What good news that is!
ACTION STEPS: When temptation comes today, remember all these words from the book of Hebrews. You don’t have to lose the battles today.
PRAYER: “God, thank You that Jesus is our High Priest to whom we can flee in our battles over sin. I’m so grateful that He has already overcome anything I will face today. Help me to remember that truth clearly and quickly when I face temptation today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Hebrew 7-10
