“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, . . .” (Hebrews 5:7-9)
During Holy Week as we contemplate the suffering, crucifixion, and death of Jesus we are reminded that He is our High Priest. This thought ought to give us great comfort in these days of violence and indecency. In Judaism, the High Priest was one of the people. He went before the Lord as the representative of the people in all spiritual matters not just to offer sacrifices in the Temple but to intercede for them, to pray for them. But there is a great difference between Jesus and the Jewish High Priest under the Mosaic covenant: the latter was a sinner. He had to offer a sacrifice for his sin before he could make the offering of atonement for the sins of the people.
Jesus did not sin, so He needed no such offering. Yet Jesus was tempted as we are as we see here in these words from Hebrews. On the night before His crucifixion we see Him in the Garden of Gethsemane suffering in prayer because He knew the agony that awaited Him and was tempted to abandon His mission. But he persevered despite the pain He faced for His love and submission to God the Father was stronger than His fear as was the love He has for us sinful human beings. He was firmly committed to the Father’s will in all things for this would fulfill God’s plan and bring the blessings of salvation to all of us.
We too suffer temptation in the midst of a world filled with powerful yet sinful allurements. We are tempted to compromise with the ways and values of the world, to disobey God and sin. And because we struggle with such temptations it is a great comfort to know that Jesus is our High Priest who intercedes, who enables us to overcome them. He helps us with mercy and compassion for he knows from His own experience the depths of the struggles and temptations we face. He understands what we go through and He can help us to remain faithful no matter what. He is the perfect representative before God for us. As our mediator and intercessor He allows us to enter into the direct presence of God without fear. We can ask forgiveness for our sins as well as offer our petitions and cries for help and relief. And we know that He hears and answers with compassion and mercy as we ask in the Name of Jesus.