What does "shared in their humanity" reveal about Jesus' incarnation and mission? Text Snapshot: Hebrews 2:14 “Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil”. What “Shared in Their Humanity” Means • Real flesh and blood—Jesus took on the exact physical nature we possess, not a phantom or mere appearance (John 1:14). • Full identification—He entered the human family line, born of a woman, under the Law (Galatians 4:4). • Voluntary act—The eternal Son “emptied Himself” by taking “the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:6-8). • Moral perfection—Though fully human, He remained sinless, qualifying Him as the spotless Lamb (Hebrews 4:15). Why He Shared Our Flesh and Blood • To be our substitutionary sacrifice—Only a true human could die in humanity’s place (Romans 8:3). • To experience death—God in spirit cannot die; incarnation made His atoning death possible (Philippians 2:8). • To serve as our merciful and faithful High Priest—He sympathizes with weakness because He felt it (Hebrews 2:17). • To fulfill prophetic promise—Immanuel, “God with us,” literally dwelling among His people (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). The Mission Unpacked: Destroying the Devil’s Power • Death’s dominion shattered—Through His own death and resurrection Jesus robbed Satan of his chief weapon (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). • Liberation from fear—Believers are “set free from slavery to the fear of death” (Hebrews 2:15). • Ongoing victory—“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). • Future consummation—What was decisively won at Calvary will be fully manifested when death is finally cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14). Implications for Us Today • Assurance—Because Jesus became like us, His redeeming work truly counts for us. • Confidence—Death is now a defeated enemy; eternal life is secure in Christ. • Comfort—Our High Priest understands every temptation, sorrow, and weakness we face. • Worship—The One who shared our humanity is worthy of all honor, love, and obedience. |
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