We Have a High Priest

The whole message of Hebrews is that the coming of Jesus fulfills all the types and promises of the Old Testament, and that includes us having a High Priest that can truly understand our struggles!

St. John Chrysostom declares, “Be ashamed when you sin, not when you repent.” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had people confide in me that they don’t go to confession because they are ashamed.

What a brilliant trick of the evil one!

The medicine that would cure your heart sickness is the one thing you’re most afraid or reluctant to do.

And, of course, folks tell me they don’t want me to think less of them after their confession. What? I hear so many confessions that I honestly can’t remember who told me what after they are finished. Plus, I go to confession, too, so who am I to think less of you?

It is a sad state when we prefer to remain spiritually ill rather than run the risk that our ego may be tarnished. But remember what Jesus reveals in Luke 15:10: “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Look at our Lesson today in Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:1-6:

BRETHREN, since we have a high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was. So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee”; as he says also in another place, “Thou art a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Look at what St. Paul teaches about why we have no reason to be afraid of approaching the “throne of grace.”

First, he tells us that we have a high priest who knows we are weak and sympathizes with us.

Our Lord Jesus doesn’t feel sorry for us; He knows how we feel! That’s one of the powerful reasons Orthodoxy insists on the theology of the Incarnation. God takes on flesh to assure us He knows what it’s like. He does this for us so that He can be with us! He knows our weaknesses, and yet He loves us still. We can be confident to turn to Him in our weakness because He gets it and wants to heal it! And He isn’t ashamed of us or our weaknesses but holds us in love and affection.

Next, this high priest deals gently with us.

Not because He is weak but because He is strong. And His strength should instill confidence in us, not fear, because He uses His strength for mercy, not vengeance. As someone once said, “You may have many enemies in this life, but God is NOT one of them!” God is so humble that your weaknesses, mistakes, and stubbornness don’t make Him think less of you. He sees you as He made you to be, and that image of your true self is all He knows of you. This potent love and care for you is meant to transform you into that image of who you really are in God’s eyes.

Finally, this high priest is sinless and can always forgive our sins!

We can have the confidence to do the hard work of repentance because He not only knows we are weak, He deals gently with us, and He is free from sin, so His “medicine” of repentance cures us of sin! Our High Priest knows what it’s like to be in the flesh, and He knows how fragile our weakened souls are, so His sinlessness makes Him completely free to love you and serve you and teach you and guide you all through your life.

So, don’t be ashamed when you repent. Don’t allow shame to keep you from confession. Don’t let your ego stop you from being healed! Run to the spiritual hospital of the Church and repent, and see if your High Priest throws open the storehouse of mercy to forgive and flood your heart with freedom!

Toward the end of the 3rd century and the beginning of the 4th century, fierce persecution against the Christians was being done in the Roman Empire. During this time, a bishop in Sebaste named Blaise was well-known for his piety and miracles. During the persecution, many Christians retreated into the wilderness and the mountains to hide from the soldiers, and St. Blaise hid in a cave on Mount Argeos near the city. During his prayers, it was said that the animals would wait patiently at his cave for him to finish his prayers so they could receive a blessing. Some of the servants of the pagan governor heard that Christians were hiding in the mountain, but when they went there, the only one they found was St. Blaise, who went with the soldiers. Along the way, St. Blaise healed many diseases. The governor, hearing of these miracles, tried to flatter the saint by saying he was a companion of the gods, but St. Blaise responded by saying the gods were demons! The saint was beheaded for his faith in 316.

Today, don’t let your fear keep you from confession. You can have “confidence” to approach the “throne of grace” knowing your High Priest longs to forgive, to heal, and to assure you of His eternal forgiveness and everlasting love! Isn’t it wonderful to be a Normal Orthodox Christian?

P.S. As a sharer of the ways and a successor to the throne of the Apostles, O inspired of God, you found discipline to be a means of ascent to divine vision. Wherefore, having rightly divided the word of truth, you did also contest for the Faith even unto blood, O Hieromartyr Blaise. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls be saved.

Fr. Barnabas Powell is the parish priest at Sts. Raphael, Nicholas, and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, GA. He is also the founder of Faith Encouraged Ministries and produces the Faith Encouraged Daily Devotional on Substack. Watch the Faith Encouraged YouTube Channel here - https://www.youtube.com/@FaithEncouragedTV