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.
Hebrews 2:17 (ESV)
At the beginning of Hebrews, the divinity and superiority of Jesus are stressed. But now we see the other side. Jesus became human in every way.
Jesus lived for 33 years as an infant/child/youth/adult, going through all of the same things we did and do. He got hungry, thirsty, and tired. He was tempted. And He was limited in His knowledge and had to learn like we do. I’m sure He got blisters and splinters learning the carpentry trade. He had human desires and emotions.
We like to think that Jesus was without sin because He was God. But He was fully human in every way, which had to include the ability to sin. Yet He did not! And as such, He set an example for us of how to live a holy life.
Jesus performed miracles: walking on water, multiplying bread and fish to feed a multitude, healing the sick, and casting out demons. But just like the disciples who followed Him, He did so in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Why did He become a human? Hebrews tells us it was so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest, serving God. And as a high priest, to offer a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. He became a human in order to offer the sacrifice of Himself on my behalf.
There is much I don’t understand about that. But I am so grateful that He did. That He loved me enough to take on my humanity, suffer the same temptations and trials I do, and then sacrifice Himself on my behalf.
For God so loved the world . . . that He gave His Son . . . that all who believe in Him will have eternal life.
