我们的大祭司
希伯来书四章12至16节
12神的道是活泼的，是有功效的，比一切两刃的剑更快，甚至魂与灵，骨节与骨髓，都能刺入、剖开，连心中的思念和主意都能辨明。
13并且被造的没有一样在他面前不显然的；原来万物在那与我们有关系的主眼前，都是赤露敞开的。
14我们既然有一位已经升入高天尊荣的大祭司，就是神的儿子耶稣，便当持定所承认的道。
15因我们的大祭司并非不能体恤我们的软弱。他也曾凡事受过试探，与我们一样，只是他没有犯罪。
16所以，我们只管坦然无惧地来到施恩的宝座前，为要得怜恤，蒙恩惠，作随时的帮助。
信息分享
这是一段信徒熟悉的经文，而且它也给予信徒极大的鼓舞。它让我们知道，升到天上的基督，今天正为我们做着大祭司的工作。
有人说过：「在我们每个人的内心深处，都渴望有一位既深明我们的需要，又能够在神面前为我们代求的大祭司。」我们一定对此深表认同；而且，更感谢神为我们预备了耶稣基督作我们的大祭司。
我们今天虽然不能用肉眼见到基督，但祂仍然活着，祂仍然是信实不变并以慈爱待人。祂必看顾我们，我们可以放心信靠祂会满足我们的一切缺欠。我们可以求祂引领我们与神的关系更加亲近。
我们要切记，耶稣深深了解我们的软弱，因祂也曾受过试探，像我们一样，只是祂没有犯罪。我们经常被试探所胜，但祂却胜过一切的试探。正因为基督能够克胜罪恶，所以，当我们向祂祈求的时候，祂便能够帮助我们。
经文指出，耶稣「凡事受过试探」；也就是说，人生的种种经历，耶稣基督都曾经历过。只有游历过某个地方的人，才能够胜任作别人的向导；因此，只有经历过试探而胜过的人，才能够帮助你胜过试探的考验。除了基督之外，世上再没有人经历过试探而完全胜过；所以，只有基督才能帮助我们。
当我们知道基督是我们的大祭司之后，我们便可以放心相信，当我们来到基督面前向祂祈求时，祂一定不会拒绝我们，反而，却会给我们怜恤及帮助。经文勉励我们要坦然无惧地来到神的宝座前，因为我们的天父随时都愿意聆听你和我的祷告。
经文反思：
请读希伯来书七章25节，并与今天的经文一同默想。
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.