Hebrews 4:13-16
"And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let's hold firmly to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let's approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need."
Hebrews 5:1-4
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. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
Leviticus 1-7
Assigned by God (not self-appointed)
Mediated sacrifices (on behalf of the people to God)
Access to God's dwelling presence
Responsible for holiness of the sanctuary
Maintain personal holiness
Exodus 28:1
"Then bring near to you Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the people of Israel, to serve me as priests…"
1 Peter 2:5
you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9-12
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
V.9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
V.10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
V.11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.
Romans 12:1
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin.
Sympathy ~ understanding between people; common feeling
The eternal Word, through whom all things were created, chose to experience the challenge of human learning. He didn't skip childhood, He sanctified it by living it perfectly.
Hebrews 5:8
'Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.'
HOW DO WE RESIST TEMPTATION LIKE JESUS DID?
1. SUBMISSION
2. WITH JESUS
Hebrews 4:15-16
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let's approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.
Romans 8:34
Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
What does it look like to be our "own priests"?
- PRIDE
James 4:6
But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
- PERFORMANCE
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
- SELF DIAGNOSIS
Hebrews 10:10
…we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.