C+C University District CG 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
Hebrews picks up on the central theme of Scripture, presenting the overall biblical storyline, from Eden to the new creation, as “life with God”. Humanity’s great problem is that, because of sin, we are unfit to enter God’s holy presence on our own; God is a consuming fire who dwells in unapproachable light. We need a priest – someone who can bring God to us and us to God.
From Genesis onward, God gives priests to teach his ways, represent the people before him, mediate between God and humanity, guard what is holy, and care for the weary. This Old Testament priesthood was a genuinely good and gracious gift from God, but also temporary and limited: priests were sinful, weak, and mortal, and had to offer sacrifices for their own sins.
Hebrews announces that Jesus is the great high priest we truly need. He is fully human and has passed through the heavens into God’s presence. He is without sin, yet fully able to sympathize with our weakness. He deals gently with the ignorant and wayward, caring for us in our fears, trials, and temptations. He was appointed by God, not self-promoted, as a priest forever “after the order of Melchizedek.” In his earthly life he offered up prayers and tears to the Father and was heard; through suffering he was “made perfect” for the role of high priest, becoming the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Because Jesus is this perfect high priest, believers have direct access to the throne of grace and do not need any other human priest to approach God. At the same time, all who belong to Jesus are drawn into a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2): called to represent God to others, to bring others before God in prayer, and to guard what is holy in their own lives and communities. In light of this, followers of Jesus must turn from false gods and “false priests” (money, beauty culture, pleasure, self-help, politics, etc.) and draw near to God through Christ alone.
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
Hebrews picks up on the central theme of Scripture, presenting the overall biblical storyline, from Eden to the new creation, as “life with God”. Humanity’s great problem is that, because of sin, we are unfit to enter God’s holy presence on our own; God is a consuming fire who dwells in unapproachable light. We need a priest – someone who can bring God to us and us to God.
From Genesis onward, God gives priests to teach his ways, represent the people before him, mediate between God and humanity, guard what is holy, and care for the weary. This Old Testament priesthood was a genuinely good and gracious gift from God, but also temporary and limited: priests were sinful, weak, and mortal, and had to offer sacrifices for their own sins.
Hebrews announces that Jesus is the great high priest we truly need. He is fully human and has passed through the heavens into God’s presence. He is without sin, yet fully able to sympathize with our weakness. He deals gently with the ignorant and wayward, caring for us in our fears, trials, and temptations. He was appointed by God, not self-promoted, as a priest forever “after the order of Melchizedek.” In his earthly life he offered up prayers and tears to the Father and was heard; through suffering he was “made perfect” for the role of high priest, becoming the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.
Because Jesus is this perfect high priest, believers have direct access to the throne of grace and do not need any other human priest to approach God. At the same time, all who belong to Jesus are drawn into a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2): called to represent God to others, to bring others before God in prayer, and to guard what is holy in their own lives and communities. In light of this, followers of Jesus must turn from false gods and “false priests” (money, beauty culture, pleasure, self-help, politics, etc.) and draw near to God through Christ alone.
Key Takeaways
- Jesus is the perfect high priest - He is sinless, caring, appointed by God, prayerful, and perfect
- Jesus' priestly ministry is active and prayerful - because He is our risen savior, He is actively interceding for His people and through Him, we are invited to draw near with confidence to the throne of grace
- Believers share in a priestly calling - we don't need a human mediator, we can go directly to God and we are called to represent God to other people
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean that Jesus "learned obedience through what he suffered" and was "made perfect"?
- Looking at the five roles of a priest (teacher, representative, mediator, protector, caregiver), where do you see each one fulfilled in Jesus?
- Do you picture God as "sitting on a throne of grace" or as more of a finger-wagging authority figure? How do you think those contrasting views would play out in someone's life?
- Which “false priests” are most tempting for you: money, beauty/image, pleasure, self-help, politics, or something else? How do you see them functioning as mediators or saviors in your life?
- How much time do you spend "listening to false priests"?
- As part of the royal priesthood described in 1 Peter 2, what does it mean for you personally to represent God to others, to bring others to God through prayer, and to guard what is holy and sacred?
- How might you explain to a non-Christian the difference between trusting Jesus as high priest and trusting in political leaders, self-help programs, or spiritual practices to “save” us or make life right?
Practical Applications
- Turn from false priests and draw near to Jesus - Ask the Holy Spirit to expose any “false priests” you are relying on (financial security, body image, sexual escape, self-improvement, political power, etc.) and take one concrete step of repentance this week.
- Live out your priestly calling in one of these ways this week:
- Represent God to someone by sharing the hope that you have in Jesus
- Represent someone to God by regular, specific intercession for them
- Guard sacred space by addressing a small compromise in your own life or home, or by setting aside time and place for undistracted worship and prayer