Jesus Our Compassionate High Priest

4:14 Therefore since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. 4:15 For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. 4:16 Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.15

5:1 For every high priest is taken from among the people1 and appointed2 to represent them before God,3 to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 5:2 He is able to deal compassionately with those who are ignorant and erring, since he also is subject to weakness, 5:3 and for this reason he is obligated to make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. 5:4 And no one assumes this honor4 on his own initiative,5 but only when called to it by God,6 as in fact Aaron was. 5:5 So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming high priest, but the one who glorified him was God,7 who said to him, “You are my Son! Today I have fathered you,”8 5:6 as also in another place God9 says, “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”10 5:7 During his earthly life11 Christ12 offered13 both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion. 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered.14 5:9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 5:10 and he was designated15 by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.16