Post 32 of Study: Hebrews 4:14-16

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 These verses tie back to 3:1 and begin a longer section about Jesus as High Priest. Hebrews is really the only book that really talks about the High Priestly role of Jesus. (8 times or more) So 3:2-4:13 is not so much a digression or detour or random section put in there, as a warning to remind us of our precarious position without faith. 

However, even though we are naked and open to God, we have a great High Priest who hasn't just offered sacrifices but "passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God" so, let us hold fast our profession (going back to the warning). So, if we are tempted to think he's jumping around, that only appears to be true because we aren't following the deeper argument and are only looking at highlights and often-quoted verses. 

I think many of us have doubts about verse 15. We don't believe Jesus was THAT human in His life on earth. He was too pretty, ethereal, with that luscious hair, untouchable, etc  How about no? 

Verse 15 does lead to controversies: could Jesus have sinned? I always said no in the past, but am more open to it now. It's hypothetical, because He didn't. Of course, some question that--He doubted, He seemed to despair and weep at Lazarus' tomb, He destroyed property, He showed anger, He called people names. Are these sins, in Jesus' case? According to the New Testament, no, He didn't. So maybe we need to revise our idea of sin in relation to ourselves and Jesus? 

The practical point:He understands the human condition.  Again, a stretch for us. But just as I find the seering (and I spelled it wrong on purpose: it sees and it sears) gaze of God a comfort, I find this a great comfort.

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