Consider Our Sympathetic High Priest​—Jesus

1-2. (a) Why did Jehovah send his Son to the earth? (b) What will we discuss in this article? (Hebrews 5:7-9)

SOME 2,000 years ago, Jehovah God sent his most precious Son to the earth. Why? Among other things, it was to redeem the human race from the curse of sin and death and to undo the damage caused by Satan. (John 3:16; 1 John 3:8) Jehovah also knew that Jesus’ experience as a human would further prepare him to become a sympathetic, empathetic, and compassionate High Priest for us. Jesus began serving in that role after his baptism in 29 C.E.a

² In this article, we will discuss how Jesus’ experiences on earth helped him to become more qualified to serve as a sympathetic High Priest. As we deepen our understanding of how Jesus was “made perfect” for his role, we will find it easier to approach Jehovah, even if we are discouraged by our sins or weaknesses.​—Read Hebrews 5:7-9.

GOD’S BELOVED SON COMES TO EARTH

3-4. What significant changes did Jesus experience when he came to the earth?

³ Many of us have experienced a change in circumstances, such as moving away from a cherished home and leaving behind family and friends. Such changes can be challenging. But no human has dealt with changes like those Jesus experienced. In heaven, he was the most prominent of Jehovah’s spirit sons. He basked in Jehovah’s love and was always joyful as he served at God’s “right hand.” (Ps. 16:11; Prov. 8:30) Yet, Philippians 2:7 says that he willingly “emptied himself,” giving up his exalted position in heaven to live among imperfect humans on earth.

⁴ Consider, too, the circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth and early life as a human. Jesus was born into a poor family, as shown by the humble sacrifice his parents offered after he was born. (Lev. 12:8; Luke 2:24) Learning of Jesus’ birth, wicked King Herod tried to kill Jesus. To get away from Herod’s clutches, the family became refugees in Egypt for a time. (Matt. 2:13, 15) What a change from Jesus’ prehuman existence!

5. What did Jesus observe on earth, and how did his experience prepare him for his role as High Priest? (See also picture.)

⁵ While on earth, Jesus saw suffering all around him. He undoubtedly experienced the loss of loved ones, apparently including his adoptive father, Joseph. During his ministry, Jesus came in contact with lepers, blind people, paralytics, and bereaved parents, and he felt compassion for them. (Matt. 9:2, 6; 15:30; 20:34; Mark 1:40, 41; Luke 7:13) True, he had seen suffering from his exalted heavenly position. But now, as a man on earth, he observed mankind’s pain from a new perspective. (Isa. 53:4) Jesus’ experiences on earth helped him to understand the feelings, frustrations, and pains of mankind. He personally experienced feelings and emotions common to humans, including anguish, weariness, and grief.

JESUS SHOWS FELLOW FEELING FOR PEOPLE

6. What do the prophet Isaiah’s word pictures teach us about Jesus’ sympathy and compassion? (Isaiah 42:3)

⁶ Throughout his ministry, Jesus showed great empathy toward the weak and disadvantaged. In doing so, he fulfilled prophecy. In the Hebrew Scriptures, prosperous and strong people are sometimes likened to a fertile garden or to large, stately trees. (Ps. 92:12; Isa. 61:3; Jer. 31:12) But the poor and downtrodden are compared to a crushed reed and to the smoldering wick of a lamp, both of which are of little use to anyone. (Read Isaiah 42:3; Matt. 12:20) Under inspiration, the prophet Isaiah used these word pictures to foretell the love and compassion that Jesus would show to the common people who were viewed as worthless by others.

7-8. How did Jesus fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy?

⁷ The Gospel writer Matthew applied to Jesus these words of Isaiah: “No crushed reed will he break, and no smoldering wick will he extinguish.” Some of Jesus’ miracles benefited downtrodden ones who must have felt like a crushed reed or hopeless ones who felt like a smoldering wick, soon to be extinguished. Among others, there was a man who was full of leprosy. What hope did he have of being cured and enjoying the company of his family and friends? (Luke 5:12, 13) Then there was the man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Think how he felt as he saw others engaging in animated conversations that he could not follow. (Mark 7:32, 33) But that is not all.

⁸ In Jesus’ day, many Jews believed that those who suffered afflictions were being punished for their own sins or for the sins of their parents. (John 9:2) As a result of this wrong belief, afflicted ones were made to feel worthless. In fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, Jesus physically healed suffering ones and rekindled their hope in God. What confidence does this give us?

9. How does Hebrews 4:15, 16 highlight that our heavenly High Priest truly sympathizes with imperfect humans?

⁹ Read Hebrews 4:15, 16. We can be sure that Jesus will always be sympathetic toward us. What does that mean? A sympathetic person is one who is moved by the sufferings and emotions of another person. The Greek word rendered “sympathize” means to share the experience and feelings of another person. (See also Hebrews 10:34, where Paul uses the same Greek verb.) The accounts of Jesus’ miracles reveal just how deeply Jesus was affected by the suffering of others. He did not cure people out of a mere sense of duty. He truly cared about them and wanted to help them. For example, when he cured the leper, he could have performed the miracle from a distance, but instead he was moved to touch the man​—perhaps the first human touch the leper had experienced in many years! Jesus considerately took the deaf man away from the noise of the crowd and healed him in private. And when a Pharisee looked down on the repentant woman who had washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, Jesus strongly defended her. (Matt. 8:3; Mark 7:33; Luke 7:44) Jesus did not shun those who suffered from infirmities or those who had seriously sinned. On the contrary, he welcomed and compassionately reassured such people. We can trust that he is just as sympathetic toward us.

IMITATING OUR HIGH PRIEST TODAY

10. What spiritual provisions can we use today to help the deaf and the blind? (See also pictures.)

¹⁰ As Jesus’ faithful followers, we strive to imitate him in showing love, fellow feeling, and compassion to others. (1 Pet. 2:21; 3:8) While we cannot heal the deaf or the blind, we can certainly help such ones spiritually. For example, Bible publications are now available in over 100 sign languages. And to benefit the visually impaired, braille publications are available in over 60 languages and audio descriptions for our videos are produced in over 100 languages. These provisions help the deaf and the blind to draw close to Jehovah and his Son.

11. How does Jehovah’s organization reflect Jesus’ concern for people of all backgrounds? (Acts 2:5-7, 33) (See also pictures.)

¹¹ Jehovah’s organization endeavors to help people of all backgrounds. Recall that after his resurrection, Jesus poured out holy spirit so that all those assembled for the festival of Pentecost could hear the good news, each in “his own language.” (Read Acts 2:5-7, 33.) Following his lead, the organization provides Bible-based publications in well over 1,000 languages, some of which are spoken by small numbers of people. For example, some Amerindian languages are spoken by relatively few people living in North and South America. Yet, publications have been made available in more than 160 of those languages to ensure that as many as possible can have access to the good news. Our publications are also available in over 20 Romany languages. Many thousands who speak such languages have responded to the truth.

12. What other practical help is provided through Jehovah’s organization?

¹² Besides supervising such efforts to spread the good news, Jehovah’s organization provides relief to victims of natural disasters. To that end, thousands of volunteers make themselves available to help their brothers and sisters in need. The organization also helps provide modest places of worship where people can gather together to learn more about God’s love for them.

OUR HIGH PRIEST CAN HELP YOU

13. What are some ways that Jesus helps us?

¹³ As our fine shepherd, Jesus gives attention to our individual spiritual needs. (John 10:14; Eph. 4:7) At times, circumstances in life could make us feel like a smoldering wick or a bruised reed. We may become very discouraged because of a serious illness, a personal failure, or perhaps a damaged relationship with a fellow worshipper. We may struggle to look beyond the present pain and to focus on our hope for the future. Remember, though, that Jesus sees what you are going through and understands your innermost thoughts. Jesus’ compassion moves him to act in your behalf. For example, he can use holy spirit to empower you when you are weak. (John 16:7; Titus 3:6) Additionally, Jesus can use “gifts in men” and other fellow worshippers to encourage, support, and help you.​—Eph. 4:8.

14. What can we do when we feel discouraged?

¹⁴ If your flame has faltered or your spirit is crushed, meditate on Jesus’ role as our High Priest. Remember that Jehovah sent him to the earth not only to give his life as a ransom but also to help him better understand the problems faced by imperfect humans. When we are discouraged because of our sins or weaknesses, Jesus is ready and willing to provide help “at the right time.”​—Heb. 4:15, 16.

15. Relate an experience that shows how someone who has strayed from Jehovah’s flock can be helped to return to the congregation.

¹⁵ Jesus also guides his people in their efforts to search for and assist those who have strayed from Jehovah’s flock. (Matt. 18:12, 13) Note the experience of Stefano.b After being removed from the congregation for 12 years, he decided to attend a meeting. “It was awkward, but I wanted to be a part of Jehovah’s loving family again,” he says. “The elders who met with me made me feel welcome. At times, feelings of worthlessness surfaced, and I wanted to give up. But the brothers reminded me that Jehovah and Jesus wanted me to persevere. When I was reinstated, the entire congregation warmly received me and my family. My wife eventually accepted a Bible study, and today we serve Jehovah as a family.” How pleased our loving High Priest must be to see repentant ones get the help they need to return to the congregation!

16. Why are you grateful to have such a sympathetic High Priest?

¹⁶ During his life on earth, Jesus gave help at the right time to countless people. Today, we can have complete confidence that he will help us whenever we need it. And in the new world soon to come, he will assist obedient humans in becoming completely free of all the effects of sin and imperfection. How grateful we are to our God, Jehovah, who was moved by great love and mercy to appoint his Son as our sympathetic High Priest!