Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Celeste: Additional Points
“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? (b) What will we analyze in this article? (Hebrews 5:7-9).
About 2,000 years ago, Jehovah sent his most beloved Son to Earth. Why? Among other things, to free humanity from the curse of sin and death and to undo all the damage caused by Satan (John 3:16; 1 John 3:8). Jehovah also knew that Jesus' experiences as a human would further prepare him to be a High Priest who would have compassion on us, that is, treat us with compassion and empathy. Jesus began serving as High Priest after his baptism, in the year 29.
2 In this article we will analyze how what Jesus experienced on Earth contributed to his being "perfected" for his role, that is, to being more capable of being a compassionate High Priest. It is important that we understand this well because it will make it easier for us to approach Jehovah and pray to him, even when we feel discouraged by our sins or weaknesses (read Hebrews 5:7-9).
GOD'S MOST BELOVED SON COMES TO EARTH
3, 4. What changes did Jesus face when he came to Earth?
3 Many of us experience life changes, such as having to move from a place where we were comfortable and leaving behind our beloved family and friends. These changes are difficult; but The changes that Jesus had to make are unlike any that any human being has ever made. Of all God’s spirit sons, he held the most prominent place. In heaven, he lived surrounded by Jehovah’s love and was always happy to serve at his Father’s “right hand” (Ps. 16:11; Prov. 8:30). Yet, Philippians 2:7 shows that he gladly “left all that he had” to live on earth among imperfect humans.
4 Furthermore, let's consider what Jesus' early years on Earth were like. He was born into a poor family, as indicated by the fact that his parents offered a humble sacrifice at his birth. (Lev. 12:8; Luc. 2:24). On the other hand, as soon as the wicked King Herod learned of his birth, he wanted to kill Jesus. To prevent this, they fled to Egypt and lived as refugees for a time. (Matt. 2:13, 15). What a drastic life change!
5. What did Jesus see when he was on Earth, and how did that prepare him to be High Priest? (See also the picture.)
5 During his life on Earth, Jesus saw many people suffer. He experienced the pain of losing loved ones, including, it seems, his adoptive father, Joseph. During his ministry he dealt with people who had leprosy, who were blind, who were paralyzed, or who were grieving the loss of a child, and he felt compassion for them all. (Matt. 9:2, 6; 15:30; 20:34; Mark 1:40, 41; Luke 7:13). It is true that in heaven he had seen people suffer, but being on Earth and being human he was able to see it from another perspective (Is. 53:4). What he experienced gave him a deeper understanding of humanity's feelings, frustrations, and sorrows. He felt firsthand the same anguish, weariness, and sadness that we all do.
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).
During his ministry, Jesus treated the weak and disadvantaged with extraordinary empathy. In doing so, he fulfilled a prophecy that Isaiah wrote under inspiration. In the Hebrew Scriptures, strong and prosperous people are sometimes described as fertile gardens and majestic trees (Psalm 92:12; Isaiah 61:3; Jeremiah 31:12). In contrast, the poor and oppressed are compared to bruised reeds and smoldering wicks—things of little use to people (read Isaiah 42:3). With these comparisons, Isaiah predicted that Jesus would treat with great love and compassion those people whom the rest of the people considered of little value.
7, 8. How did Jesus fulfill Isaiah's prophecy?
Matthew applied to Jesus the words of Isaiah: “He will not break a bruised reed, nor quench a smoldering wick.” (Matt. 12:20). Many of Jesus' miracles benefited the mistreated or those who had little hope of their situation improving. Let's consider, for example, the man who was covered in leprosy. Would he have lost hope of regaining his health and being with his family and friends again? (Luc. 5:12, 13). Or let's remember the deaf man who also had difficulty speaking. How would he feel seeing others having lively conversations in which he couldn't participate? (Mark 7:32, 33). But it didn't end there.
8 In Jesus' day, many Jews mistakenly believed that sickness and disabilities were a punishment for the sins of the person or his parents (John 9:2). That is why sick or disabled people were often marginalized. But Jesus healed them and revived their hope in God, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah. What does this teach us?
9. How does Hebrews 4:15, 16 emphasize that Jesus is a compassionate High Priest?
9 (Read Hebrews 4:15, 16). We can be sure that Jesus has compassion for us. The Greek word translated “compassion” conveys the idea of feeling another person’s sadness and pain in one’s own flesh. Interestingly, in Hebrews 10:34, Paul used this same word when speaking of showing compassion for those in prison. The accounts of Jesus' miracles reveal that he was deeply moved by the suffering of others. He did not heal them out of a mere sense of duty, but because he genuinely cared for them and wanted to help them. For example, he could have cured the man with leprosy from a distance. But instead, he touched him. It was probably the first time anyone had touched him in many years. He was also very considerate of the deaf man, taking him away from the noise of the crowd and healing him in private. AND When a Pharisee inwardly despised a repentant woman who washed Jesus' feet and dried them with her hair, Jesus firmly defended her. (Matt. 8:3; Mark 7:33; Luke 7:44). He never shunned those who were sick or had sinned grievously. On the contrary, he welcomed them with open arms and treated them with compassion. We are absolutely convinced that he does the same to us.
WE IMITATE OUR HIGH PRIEST
10. What resources do we have to provide spiritual support to deaf and blind people? (See also the images.)
Because we want to faithfully follow in Jesus' footsteps, we strive to show love, empathy, and compassion (1 Pet. 2:21; 3:8). It is true that we cannot cure deaf or blind people, but we can help them spiritually. For example, our publications are available in over 100 sign languages. We also have publications in braille for over 60 languages and videos with audio descriptions in over 100 languages. In this way, deaf and blind people can draw close to Jehovah and his Son.
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.)
11 After his resurrection, Jesus poured out holy spirit upon his disciples so that they could preach the good news “in their own language” to those who had come to celebrate the Festival of Pentecost (read Acts 2:5-7, 33). Following his example, Jehovah's organization makes every effort to help people of all cultures spiritually. To this end, it produces Bible-based publications in over 1,100 languages, some of which have very few speakers. This is the case, for example, with some indigenous languages of the Americas. The organization has prepared spiritual food in more than 160 of these languages so that the people who speak them can learn about the good news. Furthermore, our publications are translated into more than 20 variants of the Romani (or Gypsy) language. As a result, many thousands of people have accepted the truth.
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?
12 In addition to helping people learn the good news, Jehovah's organization coordinates relief efforts for victims of natural disasters. Thousands of volunteers offer their services to help those in need. The organization also provides simple 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?
13 Jesus is our excellent Shepherd and that is why He makes sure that each of us has what we need to be spiritually strong (John 10:14; Eph. 4:7). The blows of life can make us feel like a broken reed or a wick that barely burns. We may feel crushed by a serious illness, a mistake we've made, or a disagreement with a sibling. In such circumstances, it may be difficult to see beyond the pain and focus on our hope. But let us remember that Jesus is aware of everything we go through and understands how we feel. And, because He is compassionate, He helps us. For example, He can use the Holy Spirit to give us strength. (John 16:7; Titus 3:6). He can also make use of the elders—whom he gave “as gifts” to the congregation—and other brothers to give us the encouragement and support we need. (Ephesians 4:8).
14. What can we do to fight discouragement?
14 If we feel discouraged and have no strength left, let us meditate on the role of Jesus as High Priest. Let us remember that Jehovah sent him to Earth not only to give his life as a ransom, but also to help him better understand the problems that we imperfect humans go through. When we feel overwhelmed because of our sins or weaknesses, Jesus is ready to lend us a hand “just when we need help.” (Heb. 4:15, 16).
15. What helped a brother return to the congregation?
15 Jesus also guides his followers to find and help those who have strayed from God’s flock (Matt. 18:12, 13). Consider Stefano’s experience. He was expelled from the congregation, and after 12 years he decided to attend a meeting. He relates: It was awkward going back into a Kingdom Hall, but I wanted to be part of Jehovah’s loving family again. The elders who met with me made me feel welcome. At times I felt so disappointed in myself for having left Jehovah that I wanted to give up. But the brothers reminded me that Jehovah and Jesus wanted me to persevere. When I was readmitted, the entire congregation welcomed me and my family with open arms. Over time, my wife began to study the Bible, and now we all serve Jehovah together.” Our loving High Priest must surely be very happy to see that those who repent receive the help they need to return to the congregation.
16. Why are we so grateful to have such a compassionate High Priest?
16 During his life on Earth, Jesus helped countless people at just the right time. Today we can be fully convinced that he will also be with us whenever we need him. And very soon in the new world he will help obedient human beings to be completely freed from the effects of sin and imperfection. We are very grateful to our God, Jehovah, who out of pure love and mercy appointed his Son to be a compassionate High Priest.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How did everything Jesus experienced on Earth prepare him to be High Priest?
During his life on Earth, Jesus saw many people suffer and also experienced the pain of losing loved ones. During his ministry, he interacted with people who had leprosy, who were blind, or who were paralyzed, and he felt compassion for them all.
Everything he experienced allowed him to better understand the feelings, frustrations, and sorrows of humanity. Thus, he felt firsthand the same anguish, weariness, and sadness that we all feel.
How did Jesus fulfill the words of Isaiah 42:3?
In Jesus' day, many Jews mistakenly believed that illness and disability were punishment for the sins of the person or their parents. Therefore, people who were sick or disabled were often ostracized. However, Jesus healed them and rekindled their hope in God, thus fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
How does our High Priest help us today?
Jesus is our excellent Shepherd, and therefore He makes sure that each of us has what we need to be spiritually strong. Life's hardships can make us feel like a bruised reed or a wick that barely burns. But let us remember that Jesus is aware of everything that happens to us and understands how we feel.
He can use the holy spirit to give us strength, or He can also use the elders—whom He gave “as gifts” to the congregation—and other brothers to give us the encouragement and support we need.
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