Why is it important that Jesus was "made like His brothers in every way"? Verse Focus: Hebrews 2:17 “For this reason He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.” Why His Complete Humanity Matters • Jesus did not merely appear human; He actually shared our flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:14). • By being “made like His brothers,” He legally and experientially qualifies to act on our behalf. • His humanity is the key to five life-changing realities: He Represents Us Before the Father • A high priest must be one of the people he serves (Hebrews 5:1). • Because “there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5), God sees a true human—yet sinless—standing for us. • This fulfills the Old Testament picture of the priest entering the Holy of Holies with the names of Israel on his breastplate (Exodus 28:29). He Makes Full Atonement • Only a sinless human could die as an acceptable substitute: “God sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin” (Romans 8:3). • His blood accomplishes what animal sacrifices never could—“by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). • Isaiah 53:5 anticipated this: “He was pierced for our transgressions… and by His stripes we are healed.” He Sympathizes With Our Weaknesses • “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize… but One who was tempted in every way that we are” (Hebrews 4:15). • Because He felt hunger, fatigue, grief, and rejection, we can approach Him with absolute candor, knowing He truly understands. He Conquers Death From the Inside • “By His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews 2:14-15). • Taking on mortal flesh allowed Him to enter death’s realm, shatter its authority, and liberate us from lifelong fear. He Models Obedience and Suffering • Philippians 2:8 shows Him “becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.” • 1 Peter 2:21: “Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His footsteps.” • His perfectly human obedience proves that reliance on the Father is possible for real people like us. He Secures Our Adoption and Family Resemblance • “God sent His Son, born of a woman… to redeem those under the Law, that we might receive our adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5). • Romans 8:29 declares the goal: we are “conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.” • Because the Firstborn shares our nature, we are welcomed into God’s household with full rights. Living in the Light of His Humanity • Draw near with confidence—your High Priest knows exactly how it feels to be you (Hebrews 4:16). • Trust His atonement—no sin remains unpaid; no accusation can stand. • Face temptation relying on His example—He overcame in the same human frame you possess. • Confront death without fear—its power was broken when Jesus stepped out of the grave. • Celebrate your identity—because He is your Brother, you are forever part of God’s family. |
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