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 our 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 a time of need.

In the history of the world, propitiatory sacrifices were made in the belief that they were the only way to pardon sin and gain the favor of the gods. The Jewish high priest, on behalf of the people, annually offered sacrifices for the atonement for sin but this role was meant to be earthly and temporal. The Jewish rites could not purify the heart of man; could not give peace but were intended to point to the future – to the Messiah. In our verses today the unknown author of Hebrews speaks of Jesus as the great High Priest of Christianity who makes intercession for His people. In Christ as our High Priest, who having offered one time for all the perfect and acceptable sacrifice for sin, no more propitiatory sacrifices are required and we are told, in faith, to come BOLDLY to the throne of grace.

The word confession in verse 14 implies our private belief in the essential doctrines of faith, including that of Jesus’ deity and humanity, but also implies public declaration of this truth in the face of persecution. The author warns of the impossibility to being renewed again if we should fall away from our High Priest; there is but one, Christ Jesus, and the completed sacrifice for sin can never be repeated. The first audience for Hebrews were tempted to abandon Christianity and revert to Judaism and the warning is clear: DON’T DO IT.

We are now welcome and encouraged to approach the throne of grace – we should come when in need – meaning always. We cannot come in our merit or righteousness but can approach in confidence in Jesus who is our High Priest who has gained for us access to God. In Christ we receive God’s boundless mercy and undeserved favor. C.s. Lewis in the Problem of Pain tells us “It is safe to tell the pure in heart that they shall see God, for only the pure in heart want to.”