Bold Praying to the Great High Priest

Bold Praying to the Great High Priest March 20, 2015

Bold Praying to the Great High Priest

March 20, 2015 Year B

Hebrews 4:14-16

Have you ever prayed bold prayers? Have you ever asked God something so impossible that you thought He would never answer?

That is the challenge from this verse. Jesus is now the Great High Priest in Heaven. Just as God listened to the High Priest from Israel about the sins of the people, God now listens to Jesus as He forgives our sins. That is our confession: We have sinned, but our Great High Priest has paid the price (Hebrews 4:14).

The High Priest on Earth was a noble, almost royal person. He didn’t relate to the people. However, Jesus, our Great High Priest, has been tempted and He overcame the temptation without sinning (remember Satan and His three questions in the desert?).

Jesus therefore knows how weak we are (Hebrews 4:15). He knows that it is hard for us to ask. We feel so unworthy to ask for help because of our sin. Jesus knows this dilemma. Yet, He can help us because He overcame the dilemma.

So now we can ask. The writer of Hebrews says that we should be bold in our prayers. Pray for things that you would not normally pray. Why? Because we are searching for God’s mercy and grace. Jesus knows this. Just as God gave His Son Jesus, the Great High Priest, grace and mercy to overcome the temptations in the desert and the garden, God can do the same for you and me. God knows we our weak. God is willing and able to give us mercy and grace when we need it (Hebrews 4:16).

Prayer: God, please give me grace and mercy when I need it today. Thank You that Your Son Jesus is my Great High Priest. Thank You that He understands my difficulties. Thank You that He paid the price of my sin. Thank You that You can give me victory over my sin.


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