HEBREWS 4:14-16 AND 12:1-2

Scripture Taken from New International Version,
© Biblica, 2011

Both of these exhortations (Hebrews 4:14-16 and 12:1- 2) reflect the heart of the book of Hebrews. The author exhorted his readers to persevere in their faith, grounding his exhortation in the matchless sovereignty of Jesus Christ.

The author was a Jewish believer in Jesus. Like his original readers, who were predominantly Jewish, he likely came to faith through the apostles’ preaching. He was steeped in the Old Testament, referring frequently to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) and the Psalms. The abundance of rhetorical devices suggests that his work was originally a homily that was turned into a letter.

The letter is an encouragement to those who were suffering for their confession of Jesus. The author wanted to exhort his readers to not turn away from the faith and give up their journey toward God’s rest and God’s city.

The basic theme of Hebrews is found in the use of the word “better” in describing the superiority of Jesus in his person and work. He offers a better sacrifice, a better covenant, and a better hope because it is patterned upon a heavenly original. This theme is intended to encourage his readers from abandoning their faith in the midst of extremely difficult historical and theological circumstances. It was also written to urge them to become mature in Christ and put away their spiritual apathy.

The author showed his readers that the thrust of the whole Old Testament leads inescapably to Jesus. The author wrote of Christianity as the culmination of God’s salvific work among Israel and the nations. Our faith is built upon the Old Testament, and the message of Hebrews represents God’s way of directing people to Jesus. In short, we can see God’s Epic Love Story in every book of the Bible from the first to the last.

BREAKING DOWN THE TEXT

HEBREWS 12:1-3 “And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”

The Christian life is compared to a race on a path that is clear when emphasizing the need for endurance and perseverance. Just as athletes train rigorously and endure hardships to win a race, believers must persevere in their faith journey despite obstacles and challenges.

HEBREWS 12:2 “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith”

The key to perseverance is to focus on Jesus Christ. He is described as both the “pioneer” or “author” and the “perfecter” or “finisher” of faith. Just like Jesus is the High Priest who paid our debt, Jesus is the pioneer of faith. He blazed the trail of faithfulness and obedience to God. He demonstrated perfect faith during his earthly life, showing us what it means to trust and obey God completely.
He is also the perfecter of faith because he brings our faith to completion. Through His death, resurrection, and ongoing work in our lives through the Holy Spirit, Jesus perfects our faith, enabling us to grow and mature in our relationship with God.

HEBREWS 12:2 “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame”

Jesus endured the cross, willingly facing the shame and suffering of crucifixion, because of the joy set before Him. This joy likely refers to the salvation and reconciliation of humanity with God that His sacrifice would accomplish. Despite the shame and agony of the cross, Jesus was motivated by the greater purpose and joy of fulfilling God’s plan for redemption.

HEBREWS 12:2 “And sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”

This signifies Jesus’ exaltation and victory over sin and death. Sitting at the right hand of God symbolizes His authority, power, and honor as the exalted Son of God. It also emphasizes Jesus’ ongoing role as our High Priest and Mediator before God, interceding on behalf of believers.

HISTORICAL CULTURAL BACKGROUND

The Epic Love Backstory

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Jesus is our greatest High Priest, who entered by His own blood and found for us eternal redemption. In Hebrews 9:12, He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. How did our High Priest enter by the work of the cross with such wondrous redemption? Jesus entered by His own blood to obtain redemption for us. ByHis blood, He entered once to obtain redemption for the whole world, to tear the veil between us and the Father, created by the sin of us choosing to live independently of God.

Just like the Israelite priests would beg the Lord to accept the sacrifices of His people, God finally made it possible that whoever accepts Jesus’s work on the cross has redemption. Jesus was and is the ultimate sacrifice that made us right with God. After the work of redemption, we have access to the Holy of Holies, Hebrews 4:15- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

This means that our High Priest is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Unlike the Levitical priests of the Old Testament, Jesus possesses a priesthood that is eternal and will never end. Therefore, those who come to God through Jesus are saved completely, because He lives to intercede for them. He is a holy and blameless prince who has become higher than the heavens.

Jesus’ priesthood is eternal because He is the Son of God. He is not subject to the same limitations as human beings, who are mortal. Jesus’ priesthood is also eternal because He is the perfect sacrifice for sin. He offered himself once for all, and His sacrifice is sufficient to atone for the sins of all who come to Him in faith.

He has no limits like everyday priests who offer sacrifices to God on behalf of a sinful people. He left heaven for us. He came to Earth. But He differs from the high priests in the Old Testament because He is without sin. As a man, He was tempted in every way, yet He remained sinless. He endured suffering and persecution, insults and mockery.

Hebrews 4 (16): 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.

In other words, we have the boldness to enter the Holy of Holies with confidence, in accordance with God’s gracious promise. We can find help and mercy in times of trouble, and we can pray with confidence that we will receive what we ask for, according to the will of His Son. We have the characteristics of the Son because we have been made in God’s image. When we accept His work on the cross, we have access to the Holy of Holies and enjoy fellowship with the Father as God’s beloved children.

• He understands our struggle: The passage first positions Jesus as our “great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God.” This highlights His closeness to humanity. He didn’t simply descend from heaven untouched by human experience. Rather, He “has been tempted in all points as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). He endure
  hunger, weariness, emotional distress, and the ultimate temptation on the cross. This means He can truly empathize with our weaknesses and struggles, unlike priests who haven’t walked in our shoes but who are also walking in sin. This understanding itself is a profound expression of love, for true love means knowing someone deeply and fully.
• He endured for our joy: Hebrews 12:2 further deepens this understanding. It says that Jesus, “[f]or the joy set before him[,] endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” This implies that the joy, presumably of our reconciliation with God, was so precious to Him that He willingly faced unimaginable suffering. His willingness to undergo such excruciating pain for our sake speaks volumes about the depth of His love.

• He calls us close: The passage doesn’t just paint a picture of Jesus’s past sacrifice; it also offers a present invitation. In Hebrews 4:16, the words “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace…’’ extends a warm welcome to draw near to God through Jesus. This open access to God’s presence, made possible by Jesus’s sacrifice, is a constant reminder of His love and desire for a relationship with us.
• He offers abundant grace: Jesus’s sacrifice doesn’t merely open the door for a fleeting visit; it allows us to “… receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16). This promise of ongoing support and provision demonstrates that His love isn’t a one-time act but a Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 12:1-2 continuous flow of grace available to us throughout our lives. offer several powerful glimpses into Jesus’s immense love for us.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

WHAT CAN WE DO TO EARN GOD’S LOVE?
Paul seeks understanding from the Galatians and in his explanation invokes the Old Testament- the Torah. Greek was spoken in the provinces of Galitia. The Septuagint, the Old Testament in Greek, was therefore familiar to the people. On the basis of Abraham, Paul traces the line of blessing through faith and ends with the words of God Himself: “All nations will be blessed through you” Galatians (3:8).

Here are six takeaways I discovered while writing this study guide:

Approach Jesus our High Priest: We can approach God in prayer with confidence knowing that He will provide the mercy and grace we need.

Embrace Perseverance: Life is often likened to a race, with its own set of hurdles and obstacles. Hebrews encourages us to run with perseverance. In our daily lives, this means facing difficulties with determination and resilience. Whether it’s overcoming personal struggles, dealing with setbacks at work or in relationships, or enduring through hardships, we should approach each challenge with the mindset of a runner determined to finish the race.

Let Go of Hindrances: Just as runners shed excess weight to increase speed, we’re urged to throw off everything that hinders us. This could include sinful habits, negative thought patterns, unhealthy relationships, or distractions that keep us from fully following Christ. Regular self-reflection and examination can help us identify and let go of anything that impedes our spiritual progress.

Fix Our Eyes on Jesus: Amid life’s busyness and distractions, we’re encouraged to intentionally fix our attention on Him. This involves daily prayer, studying His teachings in Scripture, and cultivating a deep relationship with Him. When we keep Jesus at the center of our lives, His example and teachings guide us, sustain us, and inspire us to live faithfully, never having to earn our acceptance because of His Grace, Mercy and Epic Love.

Remember Jesus’ Sacrifice and Victory: Hebrews reminds us of Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross and His victorious resurrection. Reflecting on His love and the joy set before Him can strengthen our resolve to endure hardships and persevere in our faith. When we face challenges, we can draw strength from knowing that Jesus overcame the world and promises to be with us every step of the way.

Find Joy in the Journey: Despite the difficulties we may encounter, there is joy in the Christian journey. This joy comes from knowing we are running the race with purpose, with our eyes fixed on Jesus. It’s a joy that transcends circumstances and provides hope even in the midst of trials. By embracing this joy, we can navigate life’s ups and downs with a sense of peace and contentment, knowing that our ultimate destination is secure in Christ.

CONCLUSION: In summary, Hebrews 4:14-16 and Hebrews 12:1-2 reveal Jesus’s love through His profound understanding of our struggles, His willingness to suffer for our joy, His ongoing invitation to come near, and his abundant provision of grace. It paints a beautiful picture of a love that is compassionate, sacrificial, accessible, and enduring. Ponder the following questions to see if you can make a connection to yourself, to others and God while you consider how God’s love comes to us through the perfect and complete redemption and sacrifice of His own Son, His High Priest, which God gave us as a free gift.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Connections to myself, others, and god

Connecting to myself

1. What do you know about priests and how has your understanding changed after studying this passage?
2. How do you experience joy? How is it different when you are experiencing struggles?
3. Describe what it looks like for you to “endure,” “persevere” and “fix your eyes on Jesus.”

Connecting to others

1. What would it look like for you to encourage others to “run the race” and “let go of hindrances?
2. What would it look like for others to encourage you to do the same? How are you best encouraged by others?
3. How has your perspective of worshiping with others changed since you have learned how Jesus is the One High Priest?

Connecting to God

1. How does it make you feel that God has not only sacrificed His Son on our behalf but that Jesus now intercedes for us as our High Priest?
2. What happens when you fix your eyes on Jesus?
3. How do you feel about God’s love for you in the midst of hardship?
4. What happens with your relationship with God when you remember Jesus’s sacrifice and victory?