Jesus: Our Compassionate High Priest in Suffering
Summary
On this rainy morning, we gathered to remember that God’s faithfulness is not dependent on our circumstances. Even in the valleys of life, when grief and suffering seem overwhelming, God remains on His throne, sovereign and good. We lifted up those in our church family who are walking through deep trials, reminding ourselves that as the body of Christ, we are called to enter into one another’s suffering with compassion and prayer. Our hope is anchored in Jesus, who not only promises future restoration but also walks with us in our present pain.
Turning to Hebrews 5, we explored the profound truth that Jesus is our great High Priest—far superior to any who came before. The Jewish high priest, descended from Aaron, was tasked with offering sacrifices for the sins of the people, entering the Holy of Holies once a year to intercede for the nation. Yet, these priests were themselves sinners, needing to offer sacrifices for their own failings. Jesus, by contrast, lived a sinless life. He understands our struggles, not as a distant observer, but as one who has walked in our flesh, felt our temptations, and endured our sorrows—yet without sin.
Jesus’ priesthood is not only superior in His sinlessness, but also in His sacrifice. He did not offer the blood of animals, but His own blood, once for all, as the perfect Lamb of God. The old system required continual sacrifices, but Jesus’ offering was final and complete, opening the way for us to approach God directly. His priesthood is after the order of Melchizedek—appointed by God, eternal, and unique.
This truth calls us to a deeper response. We are urged to hold fast to our faith in Christ, to remember that He truly understands every trial and temptation we face, and to boldly approach the throne of grace for help in our time of need. No longer do we need a human intermediary; through Jesus, we have direct access to God’s presence. Let us not remain spiritual infants, but grow in our understanding and confidence in Christ, our perfect High Priest, who invites us to bring every burden to Him.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus’ Compassion Is Rooted in Experience
Jesus is not a distant or detached high priest. He entered fully into our humanity, experiencing temptation, grief, and suffering firsthand. Because He has walked our path, He is able to offer true compassion and understanding, meeting us in our deepest struggles with empathy and grace. [55:42]
- The Finality and Sufficiency of Christ’s Sacrifice
Unlike the high priests who offered repeated sacrifices for sin, Jesus’ self-offering was once for all. His blood accomplished what the old system could never do—complete atonement and reconciliation with God. This means we no longer need to strive for acceptance; in Christ, we are fully forgiven and welcomed. [53:03]
- God’s Invitation to Bold Access
The tearing of the temple veil at Christ’s death was not just symbolic; it was a radical invitation. Through Jesus, we are welcomed to approach God’s throne with confidence, not fear. We can bring our needs, failures, and pain directly to the Father, knowing we are received as beloved children. [01:04:30]
- Spiritual Maturity Requires Pursuit
The call is not to remain content with a surface-level faith, but to grow in understanding the deep truths of who Jesus is and what He has accomplished. Maturity comes as we hunger for the “meat” of God’s Word, training our senses to discern truth and live in the reality of Christ’s finished work. [57:30]
- Holding Fast in the Midst of Suffering
When life’s storms rage and suffering presses in, the anchor for our souls is the unchanging priesthood of Jesus. He is both our advocate and our example, calling us to hold tightly to our confession of faith, trusting that He is able to sustain, comfort, and deliver us through every trial. [01:06:52]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[05:10] - Opening Prayer and Thanksgiving
[17:51] - God’s Faithfulness in All Seasons
[18:33] - Bearing One Another’s Burdens
[19:47] - Congregational Prayer for the Hurting
[21:56] - Praying for Specific Needs
[36:51] - Jesus Is So Much Better: The Year’s Theme
[38:54] - The High Priest: History and Role
[46:49] - Jesus’ Superior Priesthood and Divine Calling
[53:03] - The Order of Melchizedek Explained
[55:42] - Jesus’ Compassion Through Suffering
[57:30] - The Call to Spiritual Maturity
[59:28] - Our Response: Hold Fast, Trust, and Approach
[01:04:30] - Bold Access to God’s Throne
[01:06:52] - Prayer and Invitation to Respond
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Jesus, Our Great High Priest
*(Based on Hebrews 5 and supporting passages)*
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### Bible Reading
- Hebrews 4:14–16
*14 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. 15 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. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.*
- Hebrews 5:1–10
*(Focus on Jesus as the High Priest, His compassion, His sacrifice, and His calling)*
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Hebrews 5:1–3, what were the main responsibilities of the Jewish high priest, and how did his own weaknesses affect his ministry?
2. In Hebrews 4:15, what does it say about Jesus’ ability to understand our struggles?
3. What is different about Jesus’ sacrifice compared to the sacrifices offered by the Old Testament high priests?
4. The sermon mentioned that Jesus’ priesthood is “after the order of Melchizedek.” What does this mean, and how is it different from the priesthood of Aaron? ([53:03])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important that Jesus, our High Priest, was “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet without sin”? How does this shape our view of His compassion? ([55:42])
2. The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus’ death was described as a “radical invitation.” What does this symbolize about our access to God now? ([01:04:30])
3. The sermon calls us not to remain “spiritual infants” but to grow in maturity. What does it look like to move from “milk” to “meat” in our faith? ([57:30])
4. When the storms of life come, why does the unchanging priesthood of Jesus serve as an anchor for our souls? ([01:06:52])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon encouraged us to “enter into one another’s suffering with compassion and prayer.” Is there someone in your life or in our church family who is suffering right now? What is one practical way you can show compassion or pray for them this week? ([18:33])
2. Jesus understands every temptation and sorrow we face. Is there a specific struggle or pain you are carrying that you have not yet brought to Him? What would it look like to bring that to Jesus in prayer, trusting that He truly understands? ([01:01:50])
3. The old system required repeated sacrifices, but Jesus’ sacrifice was “once for all.” Are there ways you still find yourself striving for God’s acceptance, rather than resting in Christ’s finished work? How can you remind yourself this week that you are fully forgiven and welcomed? ([53:03])
4. The tearing of the veil means we can approach God’s throne with confidence. Do you tend to approach God boldly, or do you hold back out of fear or shame? What might help you come to God more freely and honestly? ([01:04:30])
5. The call to spiritual maturity means not being content with a surface-level faith. What is one step you can take this month to “grow up” in your understanding of Jesus and His work? (For example: reading a new book of the Bible, memorizing a verse, or asking someone to mentor you.) ([57:30])
6. When you face suffering or trials, what does it look like for you to “hold fast” to your confession of faith? Can you share a time when Jesus sustained you through a difficult season? ([01:06:52])
7. The sermon said, “No longer do we need a human intermediary; through Jesus, we have direct access to God’s presence.” How does this truth change the way you think about prayer, worship, or your relationship with God? ([01:04:30])
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*Close in prayer, asking Jesus our High Priest to help us trust Him, grow in maturity, and boldly approach God’s throne with every need.*
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Is Our Perfect High Priest
Jesus Christ is the ultimate High Priest, surpassing all who came before Him, because He lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the final, perfect sacrifice for our sins. Unlike the Levitical priests who had to offer sacrifices for their own sins as well as for the people, Jesus had no sin and yet fully understands our struggles, having been tempted in every way as we are. His sacrifice was not of animals, but of His own body and blood, making atonement once and for all and opening the way for us to be reconciled to God. In Jesus, we find both the compassionate mediator and the spotless Lamb, who bridges the gap between God and humanity forever. [41:30]
Hebrews 4:15-16 (ESV)
"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. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: What is one struggle or temptation you are facing right now that you can bring honestly to Jesus, knowing He truly understands and offers you grace?
Day 2: Jesus Was Chosen and Ordained by God
The office of the high priest was not something a person could take for themselves; it was a divine calling, established by God. In the same way, Jesus did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but was appointed by God the Father, fulfilling the prophecy that He would be a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. This divine appointment means that Jesus’ priesthood is not only legitimate but superior, rooted in God’s eternal plan and authority, and it assures us that our mediator is both fully God and fully man, chosen to intercede for us eternally. [47:10]
Hebrews 5:5-6 (ESV)
"So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, 'You are my Son, today I have begotten you'; as he says also in another place, 'You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.'"
Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus was chosen and appointed by God as your High Priest give you confidence in approaching Him with your needs today?
Day 3: Jesus Understands Our Suffering and Obedience
Jesus, though the Son of God, learned obedience through what He suffered, experiencing the full range of human frailty, pain, and temptation. He did not remain distant from our struggles but entered into them, feeling sorrow, loss, and hardship, yet always obeying the Father perfectly. Because of this, He is able to offer us not only forgiveness but also deep empathy and help in our times of suffering, showing us that obedience to God is possible even in the hardest circumstances. [55:42]
Hebrews 5:7-9 (ESV)
"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."
Reflection: In what area of your life are you struggling to obey God because of pain or difficulty, and how can you look to Jesus’ example for strength today?
Day 4: Hold Fast to Your Faith in Jesus
Since Jesus is the great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, we are called to hold firmly to our confession of faith in Him. The world offers many distractions and temptations to drift away, but Jesus is better than anything else we could pursue—He is the foundation and anchor for our lives. Holding fast to Him means making Him the most important person in our lives, trusting Him above all else, and not letting go even when circumstances are hard or confusing. [59:28]
Hebrews 4:14 (ESV)
"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."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can prioritize Jesus above all else in your life this week, especially when you feel tempted to let go?
Day 5: Come Boldly to the Throne of Grace
Because of Jesus’ sacrifice and His ongoing role as our High Priest, we are invited to come boldly into God’s presence to receive mercy and find grace in our time of need. The barrier between God and humanity has been torn down, and we no longer need to fear or hesitate to approach Him. Whatever burdens, sins, or struggles you carry, you can bring them directly to God, knowing He welcomes you as His beloved child and is ready to help, comfort, and strengthen you. [01:05:30]
Hebrews 4:16 (ESV)
"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Reflection: What specific need or burden will you bring boldly to God in prayer today, trusting that He hears and welcomes you?
Quotes
If we could just internalize this theme And live this truth It would radically transform our lives. I know most of us, if not all of us Would attest to this truth with our mouths. We know that this is the reality And that this is the truth. But to live this out can be a totally different story. Does our life indicate that we really believe That Jesus Christ is so much better? Does our life indicate that Jesus is better than money Or pleasures or even family? Does the way we live reveal that We truly believe that Jesus Christ is better? [00:36:51] (41 seconds)
Was Jesus better than the previous heroes of the faith like Abraham and Moses? Was Jesus better than the previous theological understandings and practices God had given to the Israelites in the Old Testament? Was Jesus Christ really better? This letter of Hebrews was written to prove the fact that Jesus is indeed better. We have seen through the first four chapters that Jesus is better than the angels. He's better than Moses. He's better than the promise of rest because he is God. He is the creator. He's the redeemer. He's the son. He's the savior. He is just awesome. That is who Jesus Christ is. [00:38:02] (42 seconds)
And when Abraham, after defeating an army and rescuing his nephew Lot, returned, he comes across this king, Melchizedek. And Melchizedek blesses Abraham for his victory. And Abraham gives Melchizedek a tithe, an offering of all the spoils that he had won. From this battle that he had fought. And this brief encounter, it highlights Melchizedek's unique position as both king and priest. A combination that sets him apart from all the Levitical priesthood that would be established later. He is presented as a figure of great authority and of divine connection proceeding and exceeding the Levitical order. His significance is further emphasized in Psalm 110 verse 4, where he's referenced in relation to the Messianic king. Which verse is quoted here in verse number 6, when it says, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. That's a reference to Psalm 110, where it's talking about the Messiah that was to come. That he would be a priest in the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek, and Jesus Christ is this priest. [00:53:52] (70 seconds)
In this passage, we see three action items that we can take since Jesus Christ is a better high priest. Look with me in verse number 14 of chapter 4. Jump back to chapter 4 in verse 14. It says, Seeing then that we have a great high priest that is passed unto the heavens, Jesus the Son of God. So since we have this high priest, since we have Jesus Christ who's a high priest, he says, First of all, he says we need to hold fast to our profession of faith. We need to hold on to Jesus Christ. If you'll remember in a previous sermon, we saw how the author had warned his audience to be cautious, to not drift away from the truth that they are. [01:00:11] (61 seconds)
He knows what it's like to be tempted by sin as you are tempted by sin. He knows what it's like to want to lie or steal. He knows what it's like to not be satisfied with material things in this world that we have. He knows what it's like to look at things or people that we shouldn't, the temptation to do so. You may think that you're all alone. You may think that God doesn't understand what you're going through. But that's a wrong understanding. Jesus understands all the struggles that we face. He knows how to overcome the temptations that we face. We must know that he knows. [01:02:01] (39 seconds)
Not only does he understand, but he invites us into his very presence. Under the Levitical priesthood, the high priest was only able to enter into the holy place, the holy of holies in the temple once every year. And he was the only one that was allowed to go in. He was the only one allowed to go into the very presence of God. Because in the holy of holies, the Bible tells us that's where the glory, the Shekinah glory of God rested. That was where the presence of God was. And he was the only one that was allowed to enter in. But when Jesus Christ came and he died on the cross of Calvary, the Bible tells us that the veil that separated the holy place from the holy of holies was written in half from top to bottom. But God was the one that tore that veil in half. He tore down the wall or the veil of separation between God and man. And now all of us, through Jesus Christ, are invited into the very presence of God anytime we want to. It tells us here in the verse that we can verse 6. [01:03:38] (60 seconds)
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