November 18, 2025 - Hebrews 5

The writer of Hebrews, in describing a human high priest, notes that “he can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness” (5:3).  We often talk about walking in others’ shoes.  You know:  “Until you’ve walked in his shoes, you just cannot understand.”  Of course, that’s true to an extent but only to an extent.  But there is a sense in which we can deeply empathize with others who are experiencing the same things we have experienced.  A merely human priest, though empathetic, must address not only the situation of another but his own, also.  That is, “he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people” (5:3).  But we now have a compassionate High Priest, who is without weakness.  Jesus has experienced temptations as we have but without sinning.  Jesus has endured weariness and hunger as we have.  Jesus has faced those who have mocked him and even spit on him.  He knows what we go through.  But, different from other priests, “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” (5:7).  The Father has heard Jesus’ prayers for us and, because he has, we are saved from death!

Who is this who comes in glory,

With the trump of jubilee?

Lord of battles, God of armies,

He has gained the victory;

He who on the cross did suffer,

He who from the grave arose,

He has vanquished sin and Satan,

He by death has spoiled his foes.   --Christopher Wordsworth (1862)