The Promise of God’s Rest is realized through Christ—Let us strive after it by Him, our Sympathizing High Priest. From the perfections of the Lord Jesus Christ, both of his person and office 14-16.
Our sympathizing high priest, the son of God. 14, 15,
- “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest ch. 2:17; 3:1; 3:5, 6, that is passed into the heavens ch. 1:3; 6:20; 7:25, 26; 8:1; 9:12, 24; 10:12; 12:2, Mk. 16:19, Lk. 24:51, Acts. 1:11; 3:21, Rom. 8:34. “Christ the “great High Priest”; no other, neither Aaron nor Melchizedek, is so denominated. Its use emphasizes the supreme dignity, excellency, and sufficiency of our High Priest.” Pink Arthur W. The greatness of our high priest is set forth, 1. By his having passed into the heavens. The high priest under the law, once a year, went out of the people’s sight within the veil, into the holiest of all, where were the sacred signals of the presence of God; but Christ once for all has passed into the heavens, to take the government of all upon him, to send the Spirit to prepare a place for his people, and to make intercession for them.” M. Henry. Jesus the Son of God ch. 1:2, 8. Mar. 1:1, let us hold fast our profession” (v. 14) ch. 2:1; 3:6, 14; 10:23.
- “The general reference is back to what was said in 1:3, 2:17, 3:1: the Divine sonship, the incarnation, the exaltation of Jesus, our High Priest, is the supreme motive for holding fast our profession. What hope have we poor sinners got of entering into God’s rest? The answer is, Because Christ, our High Priest, has already entered heaven, and we also must do so in and by Him.” Pink Arthur W.
- 15 “For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities ch 5:2. Ex. 23:9. Is. 53:4, 5, Hos. 11:8, Matt. 8:16, 17; 12:20, Phi. 2:7, 8; but was in all points tempted like as we are ch. 2:17, 18. Lk. 4:2; 22:28, yet without sin ch. 7:26, Is. 53:9, Jn. 8:46, 2Cor. 5:21, 1Pet. 2:22, 1Jn. 3:5. “A gracious high priest, merciful, compassionate, and sympathizing with his people. Though he is so great, and so far above us, yet he is very kind, and tenderly concerned for us. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities in such a manner as no one else can be; for he was himself tried with all the afflictions and troubles that are incident to our nature in its fallen state: and this not only that he might be able to satisfy for us, but to sympathize with us. But then, Thirdly, He is a sinless high priest: He was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin. He was tempted by Satan, but he came off without sin. He had done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his mouth. He was holy, harmless, and undefiled; and such a high priest became us.” M. Henry
- 16 “Let us therefore come boldly ch. 10:19–23; 13:6, Rom. 8:15–17, Ep. 2:18; 3:12, unto the throne of grace ch. 9:5. Ex. 25:17–22, Lev. 16:2, 1Chr. 28:11, that we may obtain mercy Is. 27:11; 55:6, 7, 2Cor. 12:8–10. Phi. 4:6, 7, 1Pet. 2:10, and find grace to help in time of need. “There is a throne of grace set up, a way of worship instituted, in which God may with honour meet poor sinner. It is good for us to be there for mercy to pardon all our sins and grace to purify our souls. Had is our Mediator and Advocate,” M. Henry
