For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Devotion based on Hebrews 4:15

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Recently, I heard someone say that all the problems in the world come from people feeling alone and unloved. Maybe that sounds like an exaggeration, but I think he’s onto something. Think about how God created the world. Adam, Eve, and everyone who came after them were meant to live in a perfect and loving friendship with God and each other—forever! But then sin entered the world, breaking everything. It separated us from God and put up walls between people. What happened next? Loneliness. Hurt. Broken relationships. In other words, a world full of people feeling alone and unloved. If anyone was going to fix this, to stand in the gap and bring us back to God, it had to be God himself—Jesus.

The book of Hebrews makes it clear that this is exactly what Jesus does for us. He is our High Priest. Back in Bible times, priests had a big job—they made sacrifices to God for the people and also shared God’s messages with them. They were like a bridge between people and God. But Jesus is the great High Priest of all! He became the bridge that connects sinful people to a perfect God. Have you ever felt far from God? Look at Jesus and see—God couldn’t be any closer! In Christ, he became one of us, taking on flesh and blood and facing every single temptation we do. But here’s the amazing part: Jesus never sinned. He never once fell for the devil’s tricks and lies like we do. He knows what it’s like to be human. He gets us! But he lived perfectly in our place.

Jesus is our great High Priest who left heaven to offer the ultimate, once-and-for-all sacrifice—himself—on the cross. He destroyed the barrier of sin and brought us back to God. Now, we can go to God with confidence, knowing that through Jesus, our brother, God loves us completely. We are not alone. We are not unloved. Through faith, we are joined to Jesus and loved by God forever. And because of his amazing love, we can share it with those around us, showing them that Jesus understands them too.

Jesus, you are our great High Priest. Thank you for becoming one of us, succeeding where we have failed, and bringing us back to God. Help us to come to you boldly and to share your love with the people around us. In your name, we pray. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

Questions for Elementary Age Children

Questions for Middle School and Above