Context No. 3642 of 4322 · Hebrews

Hebrews 2:9-18: in context

9But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone. 10For it became him, for whom are all things and through whom are all things, in bringing many children to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For both he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12saying, “I will declare your name to my brothers. Among the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13Again, “I will put my trust in him.” Again, “Behold, here I am with the children whom God has given me.” 14Since then the children have shared in flesh and blood, he also himself in the same way partook of the same, that through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For most certainly, he doesn’t give help to angels, but he gives help to the offspring of Abraham. 17Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Hebrews explains why the Son of God became a man of flesh and blood. He shared in our humanity so that through death he might destroy the one who holds the power of death, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. Jesus took on our flesh to break death's grip and to liberate us from its dread.

And because he became like us in every way, tempted and suffering, he became a merciful and faithful high priest who can truly help us. The passage says something tender: because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Our High Priest is not distant or unable to sympathize; he has been where we are, tempted, suffering, facing death, and so he can help us with real understanding. He faced death to free us from its fear, and he endured temptation so that he might be able to help us in ours. There is no part of our struggle that is foreign to him.

Do I draw near to Jesus, my merciful High Priest, who shared my flesh and faced my temptations and death, trusting that he understands and is able to help me?

Sources

Hebrews 2:14-15: "That through death he might bring to nothing him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might deliver all of them who through fear of death were... subject to bondage."
Hebrews 2:18: "For in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted."
Hebrews 2:17: "He was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest."