We all
know that although we have been saved by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, we
still could fall into committing sin. For Jesus himself encourages us to pray
and guard ourselves from temptation, as the spirit is willing but the flesh is
weak (Matt 26:41).
Temptation
lurks everywhere. The world offers worldly pleasure that would cause us to lust
and forget the holiness expected from the followers of Christ. Love for the
world is also including running after money and make it our main goal. Not to
mention the everyday sins - be it impatience, anger, arrogance, uttering harsh
words, favoritism in loving people, neglecting our loved ones, laziness to seek
God in praying or reading the Bible and many more.
Based
on my personal experience, sin would make me feel far from God. As a kind of
perfectionist, I was ashamed with myself and thus unable to pray and read the
Bible well. I would stay away from God. A friend of mine once shared his
struggle on fighting sin. He said, “But where else could I go except to Jesus…”
which I found so deeply true.
Where
else could we go to get ourselves cleansed? To get rid of the frustration as we
fight over sin? Our reading today reminds us of our High Priest, Jesus Christ,
who has made the atonement once and forever for us. He is able to empathize
with our weaknesses as he has been tempted in every way – yet he did not sin.
When we
sin, let us not even run away from Jesus. No matter how heavy or shameful the
sin might be. He has won over sin by sacrificing His own life and receiving the
wrath of God as a replacement for us. “Therefore he is able, once and forever,
to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with
God on their behalf.” (Heb 7:25).
How
great it is to know that Jesus lives to intercede on behalf of me before God
the Father! I was touched by His understanding. He knows who I am. I am only
dust - incapable of doing good things, but enabled by the Holy Spirit who works
inside me. I thank Jesus Christ for because of Him this verse is real – Let us
then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive
mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb 4: 16). All the
glory be to my God in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Reflection
on Hebrews 4: 14 – 5: 10 by Desire Litaay
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