Hebrews 2: 11-18….Why did God come as a man?

For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Comment: Using the Messianic passages from the Old Testament the author seeks to emphasize the true humanity of Jesus. He says the coming Messiah was of the same source (human nature). Then from Ps 22 & 18 and other places phrases are quoted where he is prepared to call His children (followers) brothers. Obviously the word brother is used as previously it is was to include male and females. – thus today we would write brothers and sisters. That is the author is emphasising Jesus’ humanity.

Having established this from the Scriptures the author then tells why this is done.

• By dying, and obviously here His resurrection is included, Jesus destroyed the hellish power of death which the devil held, and which enslaved people in fear.
• He didn’t become human and die for fallen angels (demons), but for sons of Abraham. The term ‘sons of Abraham’ here does not mean the Jews but those who have ‘Abraham type’ faith.
• Unlike the high priests before, He as a perfect, tested by temptation but sinless, Man might be a High priest entering the Presence of God. He was able on behalf of the people for whom He came, lived and died to do that.
• [You may remember that the prior High priests carried their own sin and only were allowed into the Holiest part of the temple but once a year. They did not have the power to come right before the Creator God of the Universe on a frequent or permanently effective way.]
• Jesus now is able to help us in overcoming temptation, and. as we will see later, He now has the right to help by forgiving if we fail.

Prayer: This is complex. Help me to understand what is being said, please.