The Person Of Rest: Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest

This is a transcript edited for reading purposes from a sermon preached at The Heights at Night, The Heights Baptist Church’s weekly Young Adult Ministry on Monday Nights.

Introduction: From the Promise of Rest to the Person Who Is Rest

We just finished what felt like a mini-series within the larger study of Hebrews, a deep dive into the theme of rest. We talked about the hard truth that you can escape from Egypt and still never enter the promised land. You can be set free from addiction, anxiety, and sin, and still not walk in the rest God offers. The tragedy is not just being in bondage, but being released and still falling short of communion with God.

And why do we fall short? In our stubbornness, in our disobedience, and in our refusal to surrender, we miss it. Rest is not just about a place or a break. Rest is about a Person. The promise of rest that remained after Joshua led Israel into the land pointed to something greater. That something is someone: Jesus Christ.

The presence of God is the promise. True Sabbath is not tied to geography or the calendar. It is the presence of God through the person and work of Christ. And today’s passage takes that idea and opens the door even wider. We are invited not just to enter rest. We are invited to draw near to God Himself. Why? Because we have a great High Priest.

I. The High Priest and the Holy of Holies

"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens..." (Heb. 4:14)

The imagery of the high priest would have been instantly understood by Jewish readers. Under the old covenant, the high priest would enter the Holy of Holies just once a year, and only with the blood of a sacrifice. It was a terrifying moment. He entered behind the veil, representing all the people, and if he did it wrong, he could die in God’s presence.

But now we see something new. Jesus has not entered the earthly tabernacle. He has passed through the heavens. He has gone not just into a room, but into eternity. Not just behind a curtain, but into the throne room of heaven. His priesthood is better. His sacrifice is eternal. The veil was torn when He died, literally split from top to bottom, declaring that access to God is now open for all who come through Him.

He is not just a priest. He is the great High Priest.

II. Passed Through the Heavens

What does it mean that He "passed through the heavens"? It means His work was not finished at the cross. After dying, He rose. And after rising, He ascended. He did not just offer a sacrifice. He brought that sacrifice before the Father in the true tabernacle of heaven.

This is not just a poetic way of talking about resurrection. It is an exalted declaration that Jesus accomplished everything the earthly priesthood could not. Hebrews 9 and 10 will show us that even more clearly. But here we begin to see the magnitude: He did not just die for our sin. He lives to intercede for us now.

III. Hold Fast Our Confession

"Let us hold fast our confession..." (Heb. 4:14b)

This is the hinge point of the passage and of our faith. What is our confession? That Jesus is Lord. That He died and rose again. That our hope is not in our performance, our morality, or our striving. It is in Him.

That is why we have to hold it fast. Because the world, our flesh, and the enemy are all working overtime to pry our grip loose. And let’s be honest—our grip is weak. But the One we hold on to is not. Jesus does not let go.

Remember what we read earlier in chapter four? “The word of God is living and active… piercing… exposing.” There will come a day when we stand fully exposed before God. All our excuses gone. All our masks ripped away. Just us, fully visible before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

And that is terrifying. Every hidden thought. Every sinful motive. Every selfish deed. Exposed. What could possibly make us want to stand there?

One thing: A great High Priest.

IV. Tempted Yet Without Sin

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses..." (Heb. 4:15)

This is the beauty of the gospel. Jesus not only reigns in glory. He walked among us in weakness. He was tempted in every way. Not just the big dramatic temptations, but the little ones too. Hunger. Pride. Self-pity. He was tested and tried and yet He never sinned.

Have you ever looked at something and thought, “Yeah, that can hold me,” only to fall through? As a kid, I tested trees like that. Built forts on branches that broke under me. Jesus was tested by temptation and never broke. He withstood the full weight of the tempter’s assault. You and I give in before Satan even has to flex. We are weak. But He is strong.

And because He has been tested and remained sinless, He is perfectly positioned to help us.

V. Let Us Draw Near to the Throne of Grace

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace..." (Heb. 4:16)

This is the heart of the passage. Because of who Jesus is and because of what He has done, we are invited to come boldly and confidently to the throne of grace. But do not confuse confidence with casualness.

This is not a flippant stroll into God’s presence. This is not “What up, Jesus?” It is not disrespectful. But it is bold. It is a desperate, honest confidence. Like David in the Psalms, pouring out his heart, mess and all, before the Lord. It is the confidence that comes not from your résumé, but from His righteousness.

And here’s the point: If you have not called on Jesus as Lord, then that throne is not a throne of grace for you. It is a throne of judgment. But if you confess Him and trust Him, then you are invited in. Right now. Today. Not later when you get your act together. Today.

God says, “Come.”

From Shadow to Substance

Everything before—the high priest, the sacrifices, the veil—was a shadow. Jesus is the substance. The old covenant was filled with blood, ritual, fear, and distance. The new covenant is filled with mercy, nearness, and peace.

You were what happened at the cross. Your sin made it necessary. And yet He loved you anyway. While you were an enemy, He died for you. The veil is torn. The access is open. And that is what rest really means.

Rest is not seven hours of sleep or one day off. It is access to God. It is communion with Him. And that is exactly what Jesus has won for us.

Final Word

If you have been living with casualness instead of confidence, today is the day to return. Let His Word pierce your heart. Let it convict. Let it draw you to mercy. You are in a time of need. So come.

Come to the throne. Not in your strength, but in His. Not with shame, but with trust.

And there, right there, you will find grace.