C+C Tennessee Discussion Guide
Text: Hebrews 4:14–5:10
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. 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.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
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.”
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, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Summary
Humanity has always faced the same dilemma: how can sinful, limited people come near to a holy God? Throughout history, religions have relied on priests and sacrifices to bridge this gap. In Israel, God himself designed a priesthood: Levites who ministered to the Lord and led worship, priests who oversaw sacrifices and ritual purity, and a high priest who alone entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the people’s sins.
The Old Testament story shows both the problem and the hint of a solution. At the end of Exodus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle, but even Moses cannot enter. In Leviticus, God speaks to Moses from the tent, still separated. After the sacrificial and purification laws were given, Numbers opens with God speaking to Moses in the tent. God has made a way in, but only through a complex, limited system and through one priest.
Fast forward to Hebrews and we see that Jesus is the great high priest who perfectly fulfills and surpasses that entire system. He is fully God and fully man, appointed by the Father, not self-promoted, and is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, not merely in the line of Aaron. He mediates between God and people, offers not the blood of animals but his own life as the once-for-all sacrifice, and now has passed through the heavens to God’s right hand.
Because Jesus is fully human, tempted in every way as we are yet without sin, he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. This changes how we approach God: instead of a throne of judgment, believers are invited to approach with confidence the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In Christ, the curtain has been torn and permanent, direct access to God is open.
Scripture also describes God’s people as a kingdom of priests. Under Jesus, the great high priest, every believer now has a priestly role: to intercede for others, carry people before God in prayer, and minister God’s mercy and truth to them. This has implications for how believers relate to their non-Christian family, neighbors, and the nations, and for how they personally deal with sin, suffering, and access to God.
Key Takeaways
Discussion Questions
Practical Applications
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. 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.
For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
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.”
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, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Summary
Humanity has always faced the same dilemma: how can sinful, limited people come near to a holy God? Throughout history, religions have relied on priests and sacrifices to bridge this gap. In Israel, God himself designed a priesthood: Levites who ministered to the Lord and led worship, priests who oversaw sacrifices and ritual purity, and a high priest who alone entered the Most Holy Place once a year on the Day of Atonement to make atonement for the people’s sins.
The Old Testament story shows both the problem and the hint of a solution. At the end of Exodus, God’s glory fills the tabernacle, but even Moses cannot enter. In Leviticus, God speaks to Moses from the tent, still separated. After the sacrificial and purification laws were given, Numbers opens with God speaking to Moses in the tent. God has made a way in, but only through a complex, limited system and through one priest.
Fast forward to Hebrews and we see that Jesus is the great high priest who perfectly fulfills and surpasses that entire system. He is fully God and fully man, appointed by the Father, not self-promoted, and is a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, not merely in the line of Aaron. He mediates between God and people, offers not the blood of animals but his own life as the once-for-all sacrifice, and now has passed through the heavens to God’s right hand.
Because Jesus is fully human, tempted in every way as we are yet without sin, he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. This changes how we approach God: instead of a throne of judgment, believers are invited to approach with confidence the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. In Christ, the curtain has been torn and permanent, direct access to God is open.
Scripture also describes God’s people as a kingdom of priests. Under Jesus, the great high priest, every believer now has a priestly role: to intercede for others, carry people before God in prayer, and minister God’s mercy and truth to them. This has implications for how believers relate to their non-Christian family, neighbors, and the nations, and for how they personally deal with sin, suffering, and access to God.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus as the great high priest - As high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek, He offered himself as the perfect, once for all sacrifice and now mediates between God and man
- Sympathetic access to the throne of grace - because Jesus was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin, he truly understands our struggles and we can draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy for sin and grace to help in times of need
- Believers as a kingdom of priests - as believers, we are now a royal priesthood which means we have direct access to God and the responsibility to represent God to those who do not yet worship him.
Discussion Questions
- What does it practically mean that Jesus was “tempted as we are, yet without sin”? How does that shape your view of his humanity?
- How does understanding the Old Testament priestly system deepen your appreciation for what Jesus accomplished through His death and resurrection?
- When you think about approaching God, do you instinctively picture a throne of judgment or a throne of grace? How has your background (church, family, culture) shaped that instinct?
- Where do you most struggle to believe that Jesus truly sympathizes with your weaknesses? How might this passage speak into that area?
- Which aspect of Jesus’ high priestly work (his sacrifice, his sympathy, his constant intercession, his authority) is most encouraging to you right now, and why?
- Many people assume they must “clean themselves up” before coming to God. How does the idea of a throne of grace challenge that assumption, and how could you share that with someone exploring faith?
Practical Applications
- Practice drawing near to the throne of grace - Come honestly with a real need, sin, fear, or sorrow, and base your confidence on Jesus’ priesthood rather than your performance
- Live out your priestly calling - Identify at least one non-Christian in your relational world (family member, coworker, neighbor, classmate). Commit this week to pray regularly for that person and look for one concrete way to mediate God’s mercy to them