Our Great High Priest

 

The Victory Won for Us

Dear Friends, Hebrews 2:14–18 is one of the most breathtaking summaries of what Jesus accomplished for us. Because we were flesh and blood, He became flesh and blood too. He took on our humanity so that “through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (vv14–15).  

Think about that for a moment. The devil’s great weapon was death—fear of it, the sting of it, the finality of it. Jesus didn’t stand at a safe distance; He entered the arena, faced death head-on, and shattered its power from the inside. By dying, He disarmed the enemy. By rising, He proved death has no last word. Now every child of God who once trembled at the grave can say with Paul, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).  

But it gets even more tender. Jesus didn’t become an angel to help angels—He became one of us to help us. “He had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (v17). He knows our weakness because He felt it. He was tempted like we are, yet never sinned. Now He stands in heaven as our High Priest—merciful, faithful, interceding for us, ready to help when we’re tempted.

Today, pause and let this sink in: the One who defeated death is the same One who understands every fear, every struggle, every moment you feel small. He didn’t just win a battle—He won you. Fear of death no longer has to enslave you. Temptation no longer has to master you. He’s already overcome, and He’s right there to help.

Point to Ponder: Jesus didn’t conquer death from a throne—He conquered it from a cross, so He could meet us right where we are.

Verse to Remember: “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:14–15 ESV)

Question to Consider: Where in your life is the fear of death—or the fear of failing—still trying to hold you captive? What would it look like today to bring that fear to your merciful High Priest and let Him remind you He’s already won?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church