Why is it so important that Jesus is our Great High Priest? Most of us would probably point to 5:1, which emphasizes the sacrifice He offered up on our behalf, a sacrifice which, as 5:9 says, makes Him the source of eternal salvation for all who trust in Him.

But as important as this is, the author of this letter reminds us that there’s a whole lot more to the office of priest than just offering sacrifices. Since these sacrifices are offered for sins, 5:2 points out that priests have to deal with people’s ignorance and weakness, counseling them, and reassuring them of God’s forgiveness for those who truly repent. And although Jesus never sinned, our author reminds us in 4:15 that He did go through all kinds of suffering in this world. All this means that we can be sure that He understands our temptations, and sympathizes with us.

Moreover, in 5:7, the author mentions how Jesus prayed while engaging in His earthly ministry, and praying for the people is a big part of every priest’s job. In Romans 8:34, Paul makes it clear that Jesus continues to pray for His people in the presence of the Father in Heaven.

And that’s why our author makes so much of the fact that, like all merely human priests, Jesus was appointed by God to His priesthood. Quoting from Psalm 2 and Psalm 110 in 5:5-6, he makes it clear that Jesus is not only the Son of God, but that He was appointed a priest forever.

So, let this wonderful truth sink in: the Great High Priest whom God has appointed is praying for all His people, pleading the perfect sacrifice of His own blood on our behalf – so how can we doubt that all who trust in Christ are forgiven? But at the same time, this Great High Priest also understands all our temptations and has shared in all our sufferings, so we can be sure of His grace and mercy (4:16). Surely we can trust One Who is so powerful and yet so loving.

Hebrews 4:14-5:10 (ESV)

14 Since then 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 is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.
2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness.
3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people.
4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
5 So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”;
6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.