Hebrews 2:14-18
14: Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15: and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
16: For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham.
17: Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
18: For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
For Christ to save “the children” (mankind) He had to share in flesh and blood like we do. Under Jewish Law, a forfeited inheritance was redeemed by the nearest kin (Leviticus 25:25, Ruth 4:4). Jesus became “kin” so He could redeem us. This redemption happened through His death so He could make the one who held the power of death over mankind—the devil—powerless. In doing so, He freed all of those who are subject to slavery their entire lives through fear of death (Romans 8:15).
Death without Christ is a thing to be feared. This fear rules over a person their entire life, enslaving them. Jesus came and took on the form of man—flesh and blood—in order to “give help”—rescue—the descendants of Abraham. This refers to all the people of God figuratively (Romans 2:29) and the (partially) human bloodline He came through physically (Matthew 1:1-16), making up the spiritual seed from which all believers are birthed.
Jesus didn’t do this for the angels. He didn’t take on their form to help them. He did it for man. He had to become human in every way so He could be a merciful and faithful high priest. The ultimate act of priestly intercession for mankind is Christ becoming one of us, tempted like us (Hebrews 4:15), suffering like us, so He could satisfy the required penalty of death for sin (Hebrews 9:22).
Jesus Himself committed no sin, but sacrificed Himself to pay for ours. This is how He “gives help” to mankind and comes to the aid of those who are tempted. He defeated sin in every way—in His life by never yielding to it, and in His death by paying the price for our sin. Because He did, all who believe in Him can be forgiven, cleansed, and filled with His Spirit so we too can live a life overcoming sin and death (Romans 8:2).
***
For Christ to save “the children” (mankind) He had to share in flesh and blood like we do. Under Jewish Law, a forfeited inheritance was redeemed by the nearest kin (Leviticus 25:25, Ruth 4:4). Jesus became “kin” so He could redeem us. This redemption happened through His death so He could make the one who held the power of death over mankind—the devil—powerless. In doing so, He freed all of those who are subject to slavery their entire lives through fear of death (Romans 8:15).
Death without Christ is a thing to be feared. This fear rules over a person their entire life, enslaving them. Jesus came and took on the form of man—flesh and blood—in order to “give help”—rescue—the descendants of Abraham. This refers to all the people of God figuratively (Romans 2:29) and the (partially) human bloodline He came through physically (Matthew 1:1-16), making up the spiritual seed from which all believers are birthed.
Jesus didn’t do this for the angels. He didn’t take on their form to help them. He did it for man. He had to become human in every way so He could be a merciful and faithful high priest. The ultimate act of priestly intercession for mankind is Christ becoming one of us, tempted like us (Hebrews 4:15), suffering like us, so He could satisfy the required penalty of death for sin (Hebrews 9:22).
Jesus Himself committed no sin, but sacrificed Himself to pay for ours. This is how He “gives help” to mankind and comes to the aid of those who are tempted. He defeated sin in every way—in His life by never yielding to it, and in His death by paying the price for our sin. Because He did, all who believe in Him can be forgiven, cleansed, and filled with His Spirit so we too can live a life overcoming sin and death (Romans 8:2).
Comments
Post a Comment