Seeing then that 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 cannot sympathize with out weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (16) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews is unknown. The Jews who had converted to Christianity were wavering in the face of persecution and the letter was written to warn and encourage them to remain steadfast in their belief in Christ Jesus. Our verses today now tell the readers of the benefits Christ’s priesthood has brought them and us which is we now have access to God in Him; in His advocacy our sins are covered and we will obtain the mercy of God.

The Jews had no problem with the concept of a High Priest as they were accustomed to the Levitical priesthood and now they see in one man, Christ Jesus, we can be made right with God.  Jesus was one of us, a true man, tried by human infirmities – we have no need to dread our mediator since He is our brother.  The whole argument is what we know by faith – what Christ is to us.  He put on human nature and also human feelings because otherwise we could not comprehend the care He feels for our salvation.  Christ as true man experienced our physical infirmities and also our emotions.  We experience these infirmities because of our depraved nature but Christ because He was sinless did not – instead He took them upon Himself  Christ was not just a man but took on all of human nature and became the perfect sacrifice acceptable to God for our salvation.  There was no further need for another High Priest.

In our verses today there are two commands:  to hold fast to our confession of faith and to draw near to God, both based on who Jesus is.  He is our great High Priest and He is the Son of God.  Christ Jesus will help in time of need to obtain all things necessary for our salvation.  Now is the acceptable time ; in season; today.  C.s. Lewis writes in the Great Divorce that “There is no other day.  All days are present now.  This moment contains all moments.”