Jesus, the Man
In my last post, we were introduced to Jesus, the Son of God. In chapter 2, we are going to learn more about Jesus, the man. To read Daniel’s take on chapter 2 and The Coming Inhabited World (and our other posts on Hebrews) you can click here.
In chapter 1, specifically verse 4 but a couple of others as well, we are told the Son is far greater than the angels (or envoys, as McKnight calls them). However, in 2:9, we read, “But we see Yēsous - some while diminished below the envoys…” This wonderful, powerful, glorious Son was given a mortal body and placed on this earth to dwell among men. And He was not placed here to live a lavish life, but, as verse 9 continues, to be, “because of death’s suffering crowned with splendor and honor so that by God’s grace he might taste death for all.” Then in verses 14 and 15:
“Therefore, since the children have had blood and flesh in common, and he himself shared equally in the same, so through death he might undo the one having Death’s grip, that is, the Accuser, and he might liberate them - whoever, in awe of death, were slavery’s subject through all their living.”
He became flesh and blood, like us, to die. He died so that He, for us, could conquer Death and the Accuser. In that conquest, He liberated us from the slavery of fear. (See also Romans 8:15) In Philippians 2:6-8, Paul tells his readers that Jesus, even though He was God and an equal to God, He was willing to give up His divine privileges and emptied Himself to become human, exhibiting obedience even unto death. Jesus says in John 10:18 (NLT), “No one can take my life from Me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want and also to take it up again. For this is what My Father has commanded.” He voluntarily sacrificed Himself in obedience to the Father’s command. He did this because, “He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness” (John 1:14, NLT).
Back to Hebrews 2, to look at verses 17 and 18.
For which reason he was obligated to be made like his siblings consistent in all ways so he might become a mercy-giving and allegiant Senior Priest for God’s matters so to be propitious for the people’s sins. For in which, being tested, he has suffered, he is able to help ones being tested.
Jesus also became like us for solidarity. He went through all of the things we go through in life in our human state so that He can help us. We know He has felt what we feel and experienced what we experience. He has gone through the same trials we go through.
He is our Advocate, our Illuminator, our Brother, our Senior (or High) Priest, our Liberator. All of this because Love and Truth became flesh and lay down His life for the objects of His love.
