我們的大祭司
希伯來書四章12至16節
12神的道是活潑的，是有功效的，比一切兩刃的劍更快，甚至魂與靈，骨節與骨髓，都能刺入、剖開，連心中的思念和主意都能辨明。
13並且被造的沒有一樣在他面前不顯然的；原來萬物在那與我們有關係的主眼前，都是赤露敞開的。
14我們既然有一位已經升入高天尊榮的大祭司，就是神的兒子耶穌，便當持定所承認的道。
15因我們的大祭司並非不能體恤我們的軟弱。他也曾凡事受過試探，與我們一樣，只是他沒有犯罪。
16所以，我們只管坦然無懼地來到施恩的寶座前，為要得憐恤，蒙恩惠，作隨時的幫助。
信息分享
這是一段信徒熟悉的經文，而且它也給予信徒極大的鼓舞。它讓我們知道，升到天上的基督，今天正為我們做著大祭司的工作。
有人說過：「在我們每個人的內心深處，都渴望有一位既深明我們的需要，又能夠在神面前為我們代求的大祭司。」我們一定對此深表認同；而且，更感謝神為我們預備了耶穌基督作我們的大祭司。
我們今天雖然不能用肉眼見到基督，但祂仍然活著，祂仍然是信實不變並以慈愛待人。祂必看顧我們，我們可以放心信靠祂會滿足我們的一切缺欠。我們可以求祂引領我們與神的關係更加親近。
我們要切記，耶穌深深了解我們的軟弱，因祂也曾受過試探，像我們一樣，只是祂沒有犯罪。我們經常被試探所勝，但祂卻勝過一切的試探。正因為基督能夠克勝罪惡，所以，當我們向祂祈求的時候，祂便能夠幫助我們。
經文指出，耶穌「凡事受過試探」；也就是說，人生的種種經歷，耶穌基督都曾經歷過。只有遊歷過某個地方的人，才能夠勝任作別人的嚮導；因此，只有經歷過試探而勝過的人，才能夠幫助你勝過試探的考驗。除了基督之外，世上再沒有人經歷過試探而完全勝過；所以，只有基督才能幫助我們。
當我們知道基督是我們的大祭司之後，我們便可以放心相信，當我們來到基督面前向祂祈求時，祂一定不會拒絕我們，反而，卻會給我們憐恤及幫助。經文勉勵我們要坦然無懼地來到神的寶座前，因為我們的天父隨時都願意聆聽你和我的禱告。
經文反思：
請讀希伯來書七章25節，並與今天的經文一同默想。
OUR WONDERFUL HIGH PRIEST
Hebrews 4:12-16
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
14 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 time of need.
Message
These verses are both very well-known and tremendously encouraging. They tell us about Christ's work for us today as our High Priest in heaven.
'Deep down in everyone's heart is a strong desire for a priest who could lay one hand on us and have the other hand in God's hand.' We all know this and can thank God for our High Priest Jesus Christ.
We cannot see Christ today but he is real, he is faithful, he is loving. He is ours and we can trust him for all we need. We can ask him to bring us close to God and to bring God close to us.
Remember too that Jesus 'knows all about our struggles'. He was tempted in all points like we are but he never sinned. He endured temptation where we are often defeated by it. Often it is easier to give into temptation than it is to stand against it. Christ always stood against sin and will help us do the same if we ask him.
As someone has said 'There is no part of human experience of which Jesus Christ is unable to say 'I have been there'. The best person to give you advice regarding a journey is someone who has travelled that way. The best person to help you through a trial is someone who has just come through it. Christ can help us because he has been through it all.
What is the result? We are assured of a welcome when we come to God and to Christ in prayer. We can come with confidence. We will receive mercy and we will be given the help we need. Let us therefore come boldly to God's throne. Our heavenly Father is always waiting to hear your prayer and mine.
A VERSE FOR TODAY:
Turn to Hebrews 7:25 and put that verse alongside this passage also.