Great high priest – Moment to Moment (Bible blog)

The hope we have

Since the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the matter has been determined by God, and he will carry it out soon. (Genesis 41:32)

Those words of Joseph are very interesting.

He had gone through so many hardships, one wonders how he held on to hope.

From what he said to Pharaoh, I think it had to be those two dreams he had when he was a young man. Dreams that showed the future hope he had. A hope based on the goodness and faithfulness of God.

Joseph’s “soon” took roughly 20 years. But it did come.

We too, have a hope. And that hope is certain.

Why? The writer of Hebrews tells us: God’s unchangeable promises and oath. (Hebrews 6:17)

We could probably add one more unchangeable thing to that: God’s unchanging good purposes.

Through these unchanging things, we have a high priest in Jesus who has become our source of eternal salvation. (Hebrews 5:5-10, 7:11-28)

For this reason, the writer of Hebrews tells that we who have fled to God for refuge have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us.

For this hope is “an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:18-19)

So whatever struggles you may be going through, hold on to the hope we have in him, just as Joseph did.

For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised.

For yet in a very little while,
the Coming One will come and not delay.

But my righteous one will live by faith;
and if he draws back,
I have no pleasure in him.

But we are not those who draw back and are destroyed, but those who have faith and are saved. (Hebrews 10:36-39)

Strengthened in our trials

This past Sunday, I gave a message at church on 2 Corinthians 1.

In that passage, I pointed out that God does sometimes give us more than we can bear…in our own strength. And he does that so that we learn to rely on him. As we do so, he imparts courage and strength to us.

We see that here in Jesus’ life. He told his disciples, “Pray that you may not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:40)

I mentioned in my message that the words for “trial” and “temptation” are basically the same word in Greek.

And we see in the very next verse Jesus praying that he himself would not have to be tested.

But then he said, “nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (42)

Just as God allows trials into our lives, he allowed Jesus to go through the greatest trial a human ever endured: the cross.

But as God did with Paul, God did with his Son. He imparted courage and strength to Jesus so that he could endure the cross. (43)

That’s why the writer of Hebrews could say,

During [Jesus’] earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

After he was perfected, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, and he was declared by God a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:7-10)

It is also why the writer could also say,

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—Jesus the Son of God—let us hold fast to our confession.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin.

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)

So when we are going through trials, let us look to Jesus. He understands what it means to go through trials that are too much for us. And as our high priest, he will pray for us, strengthen us, and encourage us.