In Hebrews 2, Christ as God incarnate in human flesh is revealed both as the sacrifice to save His people from the power of death, and as the perfect High Priest to make reconciliation to God for us.
Jesus in His humanity knows our weakness, our frailties, our temptations. He is at once the offering for our sin, and the presenter of that offering unto God. Thereby, He makes reconciliation for the sins of His people.
Christ had to be made like us, that He might be a "merciful and faithful high priest in the things pertaining to God." That means that Christ is fit to represent His people unto God, and God unto His people!
Christ was made like His brethren, flesh and blood, but not by natural generation. Therefore, He was not represented by Adam in the fall, but was made like His brethren in our nature, except without sin.
Because Christ in His humanity has suffered for us being tempted, He is able to support, encourage, and uphold His people when we are tempted.
Christ was tempted by Satan; He suffered in poverty, the neglect of His family, and the sneering of His enemies. He patiently bore the disbelief of even His followers, He was deserted by His own disciples, and put to great shame and agony at Calvary.
On top of which, He had our great load of sin placed upon Him, and He was treated as guilty in our place by God, and punished for our crimes on the cross.
Because of Christ's personal experiences as a man, He is able to support and sustain and comfort His people, whose trials are nothing compared to what He endured.
Jesus knows by His personal human experience our troubles and trials and temptations, which He suffered for our sake, to save us and comfort us! |
