“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” (HEB. 4:15).
1, 2. a) Why did Jehovah send his Son to Earth?
Jehovah sent his Son to Earth to, among other things, free mankind from the curse of sin and death and undo all the damage caused by Satan. Furthermore, Jesus’ experiences as a human prepared him to fulfill his role as a compassionate High Priest, treating us with compassion and empathy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because Jehovah wanted us to live happily ever after and had to undo all the damage Satan had caused. As John 3:16 says, he loved us so much that he gave his Son, whom he loved most, so that we would not be destroyed.
Jehovah also knew that what Jesus was going to experience here on Earth as a human would prepare him to be a compassionate High Priest, who would understand us and show us empathy.
As the beginning of the paragraph mentions, Jehovah gave his most beloved Son. Although he had many children, he sent his most beloved Son to liberate mankind and undo the works of Satan.
The note explains that in the year 29, when Jesus was baptized, he was anointed as High Priest to serve in Jehovah's spiritual temple. Unlike the Jewish high priests, who could not continue because they died or had to offer sacrifices for their own sins, Jesus, as Paul said, is a priest forever and without defilement, and does not need to offer any sacrifice for his sins.
1, 2. b) What will we analyze in this article? (Hebrews 5:7-9).
In this article, we will analyze how Jesus’ experiences on earth helped him to be “perfected” to fulfill his role as a compassionate High Priest. This will make it easier for us to approach Jehovah in prayer without being discouraged by our weaknesses or sins.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In this article we will analyze how what Jesus experienced on Earth contributed to his being perfected for his role as High Priest.
If we understand this well, we will be able to draw closer to Jehovah and pray to him, even when we feel discouraged by our sins or weaknesses.
GOD'S MOST BELOVED SON COMES TO EARTH
3, 4. What changes did Jesus face when he came to Earth?
Among all of God's spiritual children, Jesus held the most prominent place. In heaven, he lived happily serving at his Father's right hand and was surrounded by his love, but as Philippians 2:7 shows, he gladly gave up everything he had to live on earth surrounded by imperfect beings.
Furthermore, Jesus was born into a poor family, as shown by the humble sacrifice his parents offered at his birth. The wicked King Herod, upon learning of his birth, sought to end his life. To protect him, they had to flee to Egypt, where they lived as refugees for a time. This illustrates the drastic change Jesus had to endure upon coming to Earth.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The changes Jesus faced are incomparable to what we humans sometimes have to deal with and which, at times, we find difficult to bear. For example, he held a prominent place among God’s spirit children. He lived surrounded by the love of his Father, Jehovah, and was very happy serving there. Yet, he was willing to live as a human here, among imperfect humans.
When we consider the words of Proverbs 8:30, we see that Jesus had the greatest assignment there could be: the skilled worker, an assignment with the greatest responsibility, the most beautiful, and he worked alongside his Father. Even so, he yielded and accepted to come to Earth among imperfect human beings.
Jesus not only had to live among imperfect human beings, but he also grew up in a poor family, as we have seen. From his birth he faced rejection, as even King Herod forced them to live as refugees.
Philippians 2:7 speaks of Jesus' attitude, and considering the theme of this Watchtower—compassion—we can say that Jesus is a perfect and wonderful High Priest. This text says that he left everything he had, and the study Bible explains that he emptied himself completely, as that footnote points out. This clearly highlights Jesus' wonderful attitude.
Regarding the poverty in which Jesus and his parents lived, it is mentioned that when the time came to present the offering, they offered a humble sacrifice. As Luke 2:24 indicates, they offered two turtledoves or two young pigeons, which shows that these were animals of very little value.
Jesus and his parents had to flee for their lives, just like many people today. There are millions of refugees who have had to flee their countries because of wars or persecution. They had to go to Egypt to save their lives, and they lived there as refugees until Herod's death. How wonderful that these experiences Jesus had as a human being helped him to be an excellent High Priest.
5. What did Jesus see when he was on Earth, and how did that prepare him to be High Priest? (See also the picture.)
During his ministry, Jesus witnessed firsthand the suffering of many people and even experienced the pain of losing loved ones, such as, apparently, his adoptive father, Joseph. He interacted with people who had leprosy, who were blind, who were paralyzed, or who were grieving the loss of loved ones, and he felt compassion for them all.
What Jesus saw while on Earth prepared him to be a compassionate High Priest, because it allowed him to fully understand the feelings, frustrations, weariness, and sorrows of humanity. In this way, he felt firsthand the same anguish, suffering, and sadness that we all do.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Jesus saw many people suffer and experienced firsthand the pain of losing loved ones.
Jesus interacted with blind people and those with leprosy, and became familiar with their suffering. It is true that from heaven he had already witnessed many of these circumstances, but observing a tragedy is not the same as experiencing it firsthand. In this way, Jesus was experiencing firsthand what human suffering meant.
Isaiah 53:4 says, “Surely he himself bore our infirmities and carried our diseases.” That is, Jesus could empathize with those who were sick because he saw it firsthand and felt their suffering. Therefore, he was more compassionate.
A very clear example is what happened with the leper. The account in Mark 1:40-41 says that Jesus was so moved with compassion that he reached out his hand, touched him, and said, “I am willing. Be clean.” In other words, he felt such compassion for the sick that it motivated him to heal them.
It's wonderful to understand that Jesus' reaction to people's suffering wasn't simply to feel sorry for them. The study note on the expression "deeply moved" explains that it refers to an emotion so intense and profound that it can even be felt physically. Therefore, what he felt when he saw people suffering went far beyond a simple sentiment.
Everything Jesus experienced on Earth as a human being prepared him to be High Priest, because he understands our suffering. Although he is now in Heaven and no longer suffers, he perfectly remembers what he experienced when he was here on Earth, and that motivates him to feel compassion for us.
Jesus experienced the death of his adoptive father and, in doing so, was able to feel the suffering of losing a loved one. Furthermore, Luke 7:13 states that he was deeply moved by the grief of the woman who had lost her son. He could understand the suffering his own mother would experience when he died. So, undoubtedly, living through all these experiences firsthand allowed him to develop even greater empathy and compassion.
Jesus is not a cold person. In the image, he is seen showing compassion for all human beings who needed physical or emotional help. He did everything within his power for them, and the truth is that all of this served as great preparation for what awaits him in the future with all of us.
ILLUSTRATION
Jesus is surrounded by people begging him to heal them. With great compassion, he approaches a very old sick man and takes him by the arms.
Jesus was attentive to people's feelings and it pained him deeply to see them suffer. (See paragraph 5).
JESUS TREATS PEOPLE WITH EMPATHY
6. What do the comparisons used by the prophet Isaiah teach us? (Isaiah 42:3).
The comparisons used by the prophet Isaiah teach us that Jesus would treat with special love and compassion those whom others considered worthless. By comparing the poor and oppressed to bruised reeds and smoldering wicks, Isaiah foretold that Jesus would treat the weak and disadvantaged with extraordinary empathy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
These comparisons teach us that Jesus, in fulfillment of the prophecy that Isaiah wrote under inspiration, would treat with great love and compassion those people whom the rest of the people considered of little value.
Jesus treated the weak and disadvantaged with empathy. We know that this passage speaks of the bruised reed and the smoldering wick, expressions that describe the poor and oppressed, whom others may despise and consider worthless. In contrast, in the Bible, strong and prosperous people are sometimes described as gardens or fertile trees. Thus, Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would treat the humble with love, empathy, and compassion.
The expressions “a bruised reed” and “a wick that barely burns” are applied to people whom society may have considered of little use. Those whom society despised, kept isolated, or didn't even acknowledge, Jesus showed attention and love.
7, 8. How did Jesus fulfill Isaiah's prophecy?
Jesus fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy by treating the weak, the abused, and the marginalized with love, compassion, and respect. Just as Isaiah had foretold, he did not “break the bruised reed or quench the smoldering wick,” but rather helped those who had little hope of improvement.
Many of Jesus' miracles benefited people suffering from illnesses or disabilities who were often marginalized, such as the leper or the deaf man with speech difficulties. Although many people mistakenly believed that illnesses and disabilities were punishment for the sins of the person or their parents, Jesus healed them and revived their hope, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
A reed is something very delicate, and if it's already broken, it seems to have no chance of remaining standing. Similarly, the wick of a lamp that's already going out seems destined to be extinguished. Logically, one would think there's no hope left. This illustrates the plight of people who were in that condition; for example, lepers, who were considered to have no future. However, Jesus focused on these people to restore their hope, just as when oil is added to a lamp or, if possible, a reed is straightened. It's something so beautiful and profound in this prophecy that it can undoubtedly move anyone.
Something else that caused great suffering to sick or disabled people was the belief, at that time, that they were in that condition because they or their parents had sinned, and that this was a punishment. Of course, this wasn't right, and that's why Jesus didn't marginalize them at all; on the contrary, he healed them, restored their dignity, and made them feel that they still had hope.
The Greek expression translated as “a wick that barely burns” can refer to a wick that is still hot but smoking slightly, but whose flame is about to go out. The prophecy in Isaiah 42:3 foretold that Jesus would be compassionate, as seen in the miracles he performed, and that he would never extinguish the last spark of hope in the oppressed or mistreated.
It is very interesting that the illness discussed here was not limited to leprosy or deafness; even those without a physical ailment were considered inferior, because it was believed that any suffering was a punishment for the sins of the person or their parents. This was considered such a widespread sign of sin that, as John 9:2 says, Jesus' disciples also believed it: they asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, that this man was born blind?" In other words, they assumed that sin was responsible for his condition. Therefore, Jesus understood this mindset very well and healed them compassionately.
Isaiah's prophecy takes on profound meaning when we see how Jesus, with immense tenderness, lifted up those who felt worthless; he not only healed their bodies but also restored their dignity. By touching the leper and opening the ears of the deaf, he showed that Jehovah values every person.
The story of the deaf man shows that Jesus empathized with him, because he could imagine how the man must feel, unable to participate in the conversations of others. In Mark 7:33, it says that he took him aside, away from the crowd, put his fingers in the man's ears, and after spitting, touched his tongue. It was a beautiful gesture that he took him aside. It also shows that he wasn't seeking glory for himself, but that he genuinely had compassion for the deaf man.
Mark 1:41 shows that, after confirming that he wanted to heal him, the first thing Jesus did was reach out and touch the man with leprosy. For someone who had been isolated for so long because of his leprosy—a contagious disease in those times that kept him isolated—this gesture must have deeply moved him and touched his heart. This demonstrated the profound feelings Jesus had for this suffering person.
When it is said that Jesus put his fingers in the deaf man's ears, spat, and touched his tongue, that wasn't actually the healing itself, but a symbolic gesture, like a kind of "sign language." What he was saying was, "I am going to your ears, I am going to remove what is blocking them," and, by touching his tongue, he was indicating, "Now you will be able to speak."
9. How does Hebrews 4:15, 16 emphasize that Jesus is a compassionate High Priest?
Hebrews 4:15-16 emphasizes that Jesus is a compassionate High Priest by assuring us that he can sympathize with our weaknesses, since he has endured trials similar to ours. The Greek word translated “sympathize” conveys the idea of feeling the pain and sorrow of others as one feels them, confirming that Jesus deeply understands our suffering.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The accounts of Jesus' miracles clearly demonstrate this compassion, for he did not help out of obligation, but because he genuinely cared for people. By touching the leper, privately healing the deaf man, and firmly defending the repentant woman, he showed that he never avoided those who were sick or had sinned gravely. On the contrary, he welcomed them with open arms and treated them with compassion.
Hebrews 4:15-16 shows that Jesus was deeply moved by the suffering of others. Because he had experienced very serious problems himself, he understood and intensely felt the pain of the people who came to him.
Jesus' compassion conveyed the idea that he felt the sadness and pain of others as if it were his own. Thus, Jesus' miracles revealed that he truly felt compassion and deeply understood the feelings and sufferings of others.
The fact that Jesus came to Earth as a human and suffered as a human being means that we have a High Priest who was tested just as we are. He knew everything we face, and that's why he had compassion. Although he could have shown interest from heaven, he now understood what a human being feels; that's why, whenever he saw someone suffering, like all the people mentioned, he had compassion, because he knew what suffering was.
When Jesus was fulfilling prophecies, he always said, “It is written.” But when he performed miracles, he didn't do it out of a sense of duty, but because he genuinely cared for people; helping them came from his heart. He demonstrated this when he touched the leper or guided the deaf man away, and his actions showed that it came from within him.
A beautiful example is that of the repentant woman who washed Jesus' feet. He firmly defended her and held her up as an example of hospitality, of what should have been done for him. As the passage says, Simon inwardly despised her; he hadn't said anything, but Jesus perceived what he was thinking and couldn't allow it. He had to defend that woman. When Jesus did good, he did it out of pure compassion, because he loved others.
WE IMITATE OUR HIGH PRIEST
10. What resources do we have to provide spiritual support to deaf and blind people? (See also the images.)
We have a variety of tools to help deaf and blind people spiritually. These include publications available in over 100 sign languages, braille publications in over 60 languages, and videos with audio descriptions in over 100 languages. Through these resources, deaf and blind people can draw closer to Jehovah and his Son.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Of course, we cannot cure the blind or the deaf; that is not within our power. But we can help them spiritually, and Jehovah, through his faithful slave, gives us the necessary and practical tools to help those who, in the world we live in, are suffering in one way or another. That is why we should do all we can to extend that help to others, since, in time, they too will help us.
To mention just a few of the aids indicated in the paragraph, we have publications in more than 100 sign languages and also publications in braille in more than 60 languages.
Recently, even the videos have been accompanied by audio descriptions in over 100 languages. This allows people with visual impairments to participate by singing in the meetings.
The image shows how a congregation can benefit from and participate in this assistance, thanks to the availability of over 100 sign languages, allowing them to follow the meeting and understand everything.
The image shows a young blind woman reading in Braille, and videos on JW Broadcasting also show the gratitude they feel for all that has been done to help them get closer to Jehovah.
In the image, the colorful dress makes it clear that she is a sister who has received the Bible in her own language. Within this culture, very few people speak that language, but the organization strives to serve even those who speak these minority languages.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. Brothers singing a Kingdom song at a sign language congregation meeting. 2. A blind sister reading the Bible in braille.
Our publications are available in more than 1,100 languages. Left: In more than 100 sign languages. Right: In more than 60 languages in braille. (See paragraph 10).
11. How does Jehovah’s organization follow Jesus’ example? (Acts 2:5-7, 33; see also the pictures.)
Jehovah’s organization follows Jesus’ example by striving to bring the good news to people of all cultures and languages. Acts 2:5-7 shows that Jesus poured out holy spirit on his disciples so that they could preach “in their own language” to those who had come to celebrate the Festival of Pentecost.
Following Jesus’ example, Jehovah’s organization produces Bible-based publications in over 1,100 languages, including some with very few speakers, such as certain indigenous languages. Thanks to this effort to prepare spiritual food in many languages and variants, thousands of people have been able to learn the good news and accept the truth.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Following their example, the organization puts all its effort into producing Bible publications in more than 1,100 languages.
From a human perspective, it wouldn't make sense to publish in languages with few speakers, because in those cases, they would reach very few people. But this demonstrates Jehovah's organization's commitment to following Jesus' example, showing love and compassion for people and providing spiritual food to everyone, ensuring it reaches them in their own language.
ILLUSTRATION
Image series: 1. An Indigenous woman from the Americas poses smiling with a Bible in her language in her arms. 2. A Romani woman and her daughter attend a meeting.
Left: In more than 160 indigenous languages of the Americas. Right: In more than 20 variants of the Romani (or Gypsy) language.
12. What else does Jehovah's organization do?
In addition to helping people learn the good news, Jehovah’s organization coordinates relief efforts for victims of natural disasters through thousands of volunteers who offer assistance to those in need. It also provides simple places of worship where people can meet together and learn more about God’s love for them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It provides practical and well-organized assistance, coordinating relief efforts when natural disasters occur. It also provides places of worship where people can gather to learn more about God's love for them.
OUR HIGH PRIEST HELPS EACH ONE OF US
13. What are some of the ways in which Jesus helps us?
Jesus helps us in many ways. As our excellent Shepherd, he makes sure we have what we need to stay spiritually strong. When life's trials make us feel weak or discouraged, he fully understands how we feel and has compassion for us. To help us, he may use the holy spirit to give us strength and also use the elders and other members of the congregation to provide the encouragement and support we need.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
One of the most beautiful ways Jesus helps us is through our brothers and sisters in the congregation. When we are tired or discouraged, he uses them to lift us up: a word of advice at the right moment, a heartfelt prayer, a visit that arrives when we need it most. None of this is by chance. They are reminders that he cares for us and that we are part of a family that reflects his love in a real and practical way.
As we can see in Titus 3:16, one of the means He uses is the Holy Spirit. As we have seen throughout this article, Jesus is aware of, knows, and understands how we feel, and He uses the Holy Spirit, not to solve our problems, but to give us the strength we need.
It shows that He gives us individual help, He says, to each one of us. When we are suffering, it is true that we know hope, but sometimes the pain we feel is so great that we cannot overcome the trial on our own. Then, the help He gives us—whether through the Holy Spirit, the elders, or the brothers—is individual and strengthens us all.
In John 10:14, Jesus says: “I am Jehovah’s fine Shepherd, and I know my sheep.” That is, he knows us personally, one by one, he knows what we are going through, and therefore he knows what help to offer us to make us feel good.
14. What can we do to fight discouragement?
To combat discouragement, we can meditate on Jesus’ role as High Priest, remembering that Jehovah sent him to earth not only to give his life as a ransom but also to help us better understand the problems we imperfect humans face. When we feel overwhelmed because of our weaknesses or sins, Jesus is ready to lend a hand just when we need him most.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
When we feel overwhelmed by our sins or weaknesses, let us meditate on Jesus' role as High Priest. Furthermore, we know that he is ready to lend us a hand precisely when we need help, as Hebrews 4:16 says.
If we want to go to a specialist who will do a good job, we look for someone who has received the proper training, right? That's exactly what Jesus did when he came to Earth: he received personalized training and is the one who understands us best. How wonderful it is to go to him precisely when we need him.
We can meditate on Jesus' role as High Priest, since he has faced the same difficulties we do. This helps us analyze how he overcame those trials and what helped him. In this way, Jesus is ready to lend us a hand precisely when we need him most.
It is true that, in the case of Jesus, being perfect, there were things he did not suffer in his flesh. But he did endure situations that very few humans have experienced or will ever experience, such as the torture he suffered. That pain also helped him understand the physical suffering of other people, such as those who have been mistreated or tortured. So there were things he did not experience, but he did suffer others that we will hardly ever experience.
15. What helped a brother return to the congregation?
The brother was helped by the fact that the elders who met with him made him feel welcome and that, when he sometimes felt so disappointed in himself for having left Jehovah that he wanted to give up, the brothers reminded him that Jehovah and Jesus wanted him to persevere. When he was readmitted, the entire congregation welcomed him and his family with open arms. In time, his wife began to study the Bible and now serves Jehovah along with her family.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Just as our High Priest is loving, the elders who cared for him made him feel welcome and were affectionate toward him. Then, the congregation welcomed him and his family with open arms. Experiencing all of this, the brother certainly felt very good and was able to return home in a very pleasant way and serve alongside his entire family.
Following Jesus' example, the brothers showed love, compassion, and empathy toward our brother, and that really brought him back to the congregation.
The brother and his family received just what they needed at that time, because he sometimes felt very disappointed in himself for having left Jehovah. But when he saw how they welcomed him and how they made him feel, it motivated him to feel better and helped him to return to the congregation.
Jesus was heavily criticized for associating himself with people whom others considered worthless, and he said that he had come to heal the sick. He hadn't come for the healthy, but for those who needed to regain their hope.
16. Why are we so grateful to have such a compassionate High Priest?
We feel very grateful to have such a compassionate High Priest, because we can be fully convinced that, just as he helped countless people at just the right time, he will also be with us whenever we need him.
Furthermore, in the new world he will help obedient humans to become completely free from the effects of sin and imperfection. For this reason, we are deeply grateful to our God, Jehovah, who out of pure love and mercy appointed his Son as a compassionate High Priest.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Thanks to the love and mercy of Jehovah, who appointed his Son Jesus Christ as High Priest, we have the opportunity for him to help all obedient humans break free from the effects of sin and imperfection. And whenever we need them, Jehovah and Jesus will be with us.
Because, as we have analyzed, he not only has the ability—he is perfect to be able to do it—but he also has experience, because he has lived it here, and, above all, he has the will to want to change things.
Today we can be completely convinced that Jesus will be with us whenever we need him.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How did everything Jesus experienced on Earth prepare him to be High Priest?
Everything Jesus experienced on Earth prepared him to be High Priest, because it allowed him to experience human suffering firsthand. He saw many people suffer, dealt with the sick and those who were grieving, and felt compassion for them.
He also experienced the pain of losing loved ones, and although in heaven he had already seen people suffer, being on Earth and being human allowed him to understand it from a different perspective.
These experiences allowed him to fully understand people's feelings, frustrations, and sorrows, as well as to feel firsthand the same anguish, tiredness, and sadness that we all experience.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
She witnessed people's pain and suffering in various situations throughout their lives and even felt it herself. This allowed her to better understand people's feelings and experience the anguish, exhaustion, and sadness that we all feel.
He experienced many things that many of us have never experienced and never will. He came from heaven, from a privileged position, then lived on Earth in a humble family and also as a refugee. We know that none of it was easy.
How did Jesus fulfill the words of Isaiah 42:3?
Jesus fulfilled the words of Isaiah 42:3 by showing compassion and care for the weak, the sick, and the marginalized. Just as the prophecy says, “He did not break a bruised reed, nor quench a smoldering wick.” His miracles benefited those with little hope of recovery, such as the man with leprosy or the deaf man with speech difficulties, rekindling their hope. Although many believed their illnesses or disabilities were punishment for their sins, Jesus treated them with love and compassion, thus fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
This text mentions that he would not break the reeds or quench the smoldering wick. Even when they were about to break or go out, Jesus put himself in the place of those whom others considered worthless and, through the Holy Spirit that Jehovah gave him, he was able to approach them and heal them, not out of obligation, but because he felt compassion and love for them.
We have seen cases where Jesus could have healed from a distance, such as the leper, but he took pity on him and touched him. Thus, we see the great compassion he has for humanity.
By healing sick people in public, Jesus enabled those who were marginalized by the people of his time to feel the value of being loved by Jehovah.
How does our High Priest help us today?
Our High Priest helps us today through Jehovah's organization, which, following his example, strives to provide spiritual assistance to people of all cultures and languages, producing Bible-based publications in over 1,100 languages, including some with very few speakers.
In addition, it coordinates relief efforts for victims of natural disasters and provides simple places of worship where people can gather to learn more about God's love for them. Through these efforts, many people receive spiritual nourishment, learn the good news, and accept the truth.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Our High Priest helps us today through Jehovah's organization. Jesus is aware of our problems and sufferings, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, he gives us the strength to cope with them.
He helps all those who struggle with reading and ensures that spiritual nourishment reaches them in their own language. Furthermore, He gives us elders as a gift, as well as mature brothers and sisters who can help us in difficult situations.
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