HOW JESUS CHRIST CAN HELP US

A High Priest Who Can Sympathize

As a human, Jesus experienced  hunger, thirst, tiredness, anguish, pain and death.  The stress and pressures that he endured equipped him in a very unique way to serve as High Priest for suffering mankind.  Paul wrote:  '[Jesus] was obliged to become like his 'brothers' in all respects, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God,in order to offer propitiatory sacrifice for the sins of the people.  For in that he himself has suffered when  being put to the test, he is able to come to the aid of those who are being put to the test." -Hebrews 2:17,18; 13:8.

Jesus demonstrated that he is qualified and willing to help people draw closer to God.  Does this mean,  however,  that he has to persuade a harsh and unmerciful God who is reluctant to forgive?  No indeed, for the Bible assures us that "Jehovah [is] good and ready to  forgive."  It also says:  "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."  (Psalm 86:5; 1 John 1:9)  Actually, Jesus' tender words and deeds reflect his Father's own compassion, mercy, and love. -John 5:19; 8:28; 14:9, 10.

How does Jesus bring relief to repentant sinners?  By helping them to find joy and satisfaction to their sincere efforts to please God.  In writing to fellow anointed Christians,  Paul summed up the situation by saying: "Seeing, therefore, that we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold on to our confessing of him.  For we have as high priest, not one who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tested in all respects like ourselves, but without sin.  Let us, therefore, approach with freeness of speech to the throne of  undeserved kindness, that we may obtain mercy and find undeserved kindness for help at the right time." -Hebrews 4:14-16.

Next time: "Help At the Right Time"

Watchtower, 2000

KEEP YOUR "HOPE OF SALVATION" BRIGHT

The Basis for Salvation - The Ransom

Everlasting salvation is possible only through Christ's ransom sacrifice. Why? The Bible explains that when Adam sinned, he "sold" himself and all his future descendants, including us, into sin-thus necessitating a ransom if mankind were to have any valid hope. (Romans 5:14, 15; 7:14) That God would provide a ransom for all mankind was foreshadowed by the animal sacrifices under the Mosaic Law. (Hebrews 10:1-10; 1 John 2:2) Jesus was the one whose sacrifice fulfilled those prophetic pictures. Jehovah's angel announced before Jesus' birth: "He will save his people from their sins." -Matthew 1:21; Hebrews 2:10.

Jesus was born miraculously to the virgin Mary, and as the Son of God, he did not inherit death from Adam. This fact along with his course of perfect faithfulness gave his life the value needed to repurchase mankind from sin and death. (1 John 8:36; 1 Corinthians 15:22) Unlike all other men, Jesus was not condemned to die because of sin. He purposely came to earth "to give his soul a ransom in exchange for many." (Matthew 20:28) Having done so, the now resurrected and enthroned Jesus is in a position to give salvation to all who meet God's requirements. -Revelation 12:10.

Next time: What Is Required to Gain Salvation?