Priesthood; obedience through suffering

Jesus was appointed by God as a high priest.  And his priesthood transcended the Levitical and Aaronic types to the order of Melchizedek (priest and king).

Hebrews 2:10 NIV
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.

Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 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. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 5:5, 8-10 NIV
In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father."    ... Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

I don't think Jesus's moral character was purified through suffering, because He had no sinfulness.  I'm just speculating, here, but perhaps the human body retains an unsinful instinct to avoid death (self preservation), and Jesus learned to obey God by setting His mind on the Spirit in the midst of pain.  In my opinion, this is an essential experience which allows Jesus to empathize with us in our weakness and to sympathize with us in our obedience in the midst of pain.  Thus, it seems to me that the "perfection" in these passages speaks more to completion of the subjective/experiential process.

Of course, God also led Christ to obedience through suffering as an example for us, and He promises that we will have similar opportunities to choose to obey when it hurts.  Perhaps there is even a cascade of priesthood associated with our experience of obedience in suffering, coupled with our joining Christ in His ministry of reconciliation.

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us Christ as our high priest.  Lord Jesus, thank you for persevering through suffering and for setting the example of righteousness. Holy Spirit, may I be faithful in setting my mind on you in the midst of pain, and may I be filled with joy in knowing that you are always with me and empowering me to live the life of Christ.  I love you, and I pray in the name of Jesus Christ, our high priest forever.