Hebrews 2:14-18 (NIVUK)
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews makes a perfect book to follow on from Christmas. Christmas tells us about God’s Son being born as one of us (the incarnation), and Hebrews tells us why. This theme gets examined and responded to a number of times. Here the author tells us that he became human so he could:
- be our representative (the job of the High Priest) before God,
- make atonement for our sins (Temple jargon for the sacrifices made to bring us into right relationship with God)
- empathize with our being tempted and support us
Jesus knows firsthand what it is to be human, and is for us and works for us.
Thank you Jesus that you gave and give your life for us!
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