Hebrews 2:9-18: a reflection

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.

The letter to the Hebrews shows why Christ became one of us, sharing our flesh and blood, suffering and being tempted: so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest, able to help us when we are tempted and afraid. He himself likewise partook of flesh and blood, the letter says, that through death he might free those who through fear of death were subject to bondage; and, in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. Christ did not remain distant from us; he shared our humanity, our flesh and blood, and went through suffering and temptation himself, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest, and, having suffered temptation himself, is able to help us when we are tempted. This shows that Christ shared our humanity and was tempted, so he is a merciful high priest able to help us. Christ shared our flesh and blood and was tempted, so he can help us. Because he suffered temptation himself, Christ helps those who are tempted. Bring your temptations and fears to the high priest who understands. Christ is not a distant helper but one who shared our humanity.

Notice why Christ became one of us. He did not remain distant, helping from afar; he shared our very flesh and blood, took on our humanity, and went through what we go through, suffering and being tempted himself. And the letter tells us the purpose: so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest, and so that, having suffered temptation himself, he is able to help those who are tempted. He shared our humanity so that he could help us as one who truly understands, from the inside, what it is to suffer and be tempted. This is a great comfort in our own temptations and fears. When we are tempted, struggling, or afraid, we do not bring these to a distant helper who does not understand, but to Christ, who shared our flesh and blood, suffered, and was tempted himself. He understands our temptations from the inside, having faced temptation; and, as a merciful and faithful high priest, he is able to help us in them. We can bring our temptations, struggles, and fears to him, not as to one who cannot sympathize, but as to one who shared our humanity and is able to help. And he frees us even from the fear of death, having faced death himself for us. We do well to bring our temptations and fears to Christ, our merciful high priest, who shared our humanity, was tempted, and is able to help us. Bring your temptations and fears to Christ, who shared your humanity and understands. Because he suffered temptation himself, Christ can help you in yours. Christ is a merciful high priest, not a distant helper. In your struggles, come to the one who shared your flesh and blood and is able to help.

That is worth taking to heart, for Christ shared our humanity, suffered, and was tempted, so that he is a merciful high priest able to help us when we are tempted, and we can bring our temptations and fears to him, as Hebrews shows. We can imagine we struggle alone, or bring our temptations to a helper who does not understand; but Christ shared our flesh and blood, was tempted himself, and is able to help those who are tempted. Come to him. When you are tempted, struggling, or afraid, do not bring it to a distant helper; bring it to Christ, who shared your humanity, was tempted, and is able to help you. Bring your temptations and fears to Christ, your merciful and faithful high priest, who shared your flesh and blood, suffered, and was tempted, and so is able to help you when you are tempted, as the letter to the Hebrews shows why Christ became one of us, sharing our flesh and blood and going through suffering and temptation, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest able to help us, partaking of flesh and blood that through death he might free those who through fear of death were in bondage, and, in that he himself suffered being tempted, being able to help those who are tempted; for Christ did not remain distant from us but shared our humanity and went through what we go through, so that he might become a merciful high priest and, having suffered temptation himself, is able to help us, sharing our humanity so that he could help us as one who truly understands from the inside what it is to suffer and be tempted, which is a great comfort in our own temptations and fears, since when we are tempted, struggling, or afraid we do not bring these to a distant helper who does not understand but to Christ who shared our flesh and blood, suffered, and was tempted himself, understanding our temptations from the inside and, as a merciful and faithful high priest, able to help us in them, so that we can bring our temptations, struggles, and fears to him as to one who shared our humanity and is able to help, and who frees us even from the fear of death, so that we do well to bring our temptations and fears to Christ our merciful high priest.

Lord Jesus, the letter to the Hebrews shows why you became one of us, sharing our flesh and blood, suffering and being tempted: so that you might be a merciful and faithful high priest, able to help us when we are tempted and afraid. He himself likewise partook of flesh and blood, the letter says, that through death he might free those who through fear of death were subject to bondage; and, in that he himself has suffered being tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted. You did not remain distant from us; you shared our humanity, our flesh and blood, and went through suffering and temptation yourself, so that you might become a merciful and faithful high priest, and, having suffered temptation yourself, are able to help us when we are tempted. Show me why you became one of us. You did not remain distant, helping from afar; you shared our very flesh and blood, took on our humanity, and went through what we go through, suffering and being tempted yourself. And the letter tells me the purpose: so that you might become a merciful and faithful high priest, and so that, having suffered temptation yourself, you are able to help those who are tempted. You shared our humanity so that you could help us as one who truly understands, from the inside, what it is to suffer and be tempted. This is a great comfort in my own temptations and fears. When I am tempted, struggling, or afraid, I do not bring these to a distant helper who does not understand, but to you, who shared my flesh and blood, suffered, and were tempted yourself. You understand my temptations from the inside; and, as a merciful and faithful high priest, you are able to help me in them. And you free me even from the fear of death, having faced death yourself for me. Take that to my heart. When I am tempted, struggling, or afraid, keep me from carrying it alone or bringing it to a helper who does not understand; help me bring it to you, Lord, my merciful and faithful high priest, who shared my humanity, were tempted, and are able to help me when I am tempted.