Christ became humanity. Why?

Hebrews 2:5-18 (Pastor Heo)

Jesus Made Like His Brothers

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

7 You made him a little lower than the angels;

you crowned him with glory and honor

8 and put everything under his feet.? In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers;

in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” 13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.” And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

14 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– 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

• v. 5 Angels
• v. 6-8 About man
• v. 9-18 About Jesus

v. 5

“5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. “

Angels are servants, but not placed to rule over Creation. They will continue their job serving God and his children.

v. 6-8

“6 But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

7 You made him a little lower than the angels;

you crowned him with glory and honor

8 and put everything under his feet.? In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. “

Man is a little lower than the angels in knowledge and ability.

God created Man and gave him authority over all animals and plants on earth. God blessed Mankind with his crown, and gave them superiority over all Creation except angels.

How about today? How’s the condition today?

Mankind today lost their rulership, dominion, and superiority over all Creation because of sin. This is the root of all problems of humanity. “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans)

God made all Creation obey man – but as we know well today, none of these things obey us today. Why not? Sin.

First, God made all animals be afraid of man and obey men – but now, they are not afraid – we are afraid (lions, tigers, bears, oh my!) Because of sin, we lost every glory, honor, and crown God gave us at first. This is man’s dilemma. That’s why Christ came.

In our lives as human beings (esp as parents) we must know this. If you want children to obey you, you must obey God first. If you worship God completely and perfectly, then all Creation will honor us. That’s why Jesus came – to restore and regain this lost dominion and rulership of humanity.

v. 9-16

“9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers;

in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.” [Ps 22:22] 13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.” And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.” [Isaiah]

14 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– 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants.”

I said already, God gave man rulership over all Creation – but because of sin, Mankind lost this.

Jesus came as man, and the first thing he did was restore this rulership over Creation we lost because of sin. There are many examples:

– Fish:

In his first calling to Peter (professional fisherman on the Sea of Galilee) – “put out your net to the deep water”. Peter called out “Master, we’ve worked hard all night, and caught nothing. But because you say so, I will try.” When they did so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Peter knelt down at Jesus feet and confessed: “Lord! Go away from me, for I’m a sinful man.” Jesus: “Don’t be afraid. From now on, you will be a fisher of men.”

One more story: Jesus said, “Go to the Sea of Galilee and cast your net. Open its mouth and you will find some money. Pay this to the Roman government for our tax.”

– Wild beasts:

HS sent him into the wilderness to be tempted. He fasted 40 days and nights – but he was with wild beasts in the wilderness. This means, he controlled them – they obeyed his orders. Jesus restored this dominion over animals.

Now, we can also see why Jesus became a little lower than the angels willingly. (4 purposes)

#1 To Die

For our forgiveness of sin, someone must die. But God cannot die – angels cannot die – so Jesus became man because only man can die.

v. 9

“9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. “

His death is the chief purpose for his incarnation. This is not an afterthought or accident – but an accomplishment of a purpose. This incarnation is not an end in itself, but a means to its end – the redemption of mankind.

Jesus came and became man: to die.

#2 To Remove Sin

v. 17

“17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. “

It is only Christ who can take away our sin.

1 John 3:5 “The blood of Christ purifies us from all sins.”

You know the story of the scapegoat (Leviticus 16) – this is a symbol of Christ. “Taking away sins” is what the scapegoat did.

On the annual Day of Atonement, one sheep was sacrificed and another was sent away into the wilderness. The sins of the people were “placed” on it and it took them away.

John the Baptist said of Christ: “Here is he who takes away the sins of his people.”

Isaiah said, “God has laid upon him the iniquities of us all.”

#3 To Destroy Satan

v. 14

“14 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– “

This is a paradox (irony).

• To defeat the power of death,
• Jesus had to die.

Satan is alive today? Yes. And very busy.

The word “destroy” here does not mean “annihilate” but “render powerless”. He is not gone, but has no authority.

After his resurrection, Jesus said, “ALL authority in heaven and on earth have been given to me. Therefore, GO and make disciples of all nations.”

Jesus’ work on the cross brought complete defeat to Satan. He is a conquered enemy, a vanquished foe – so that someday in the near future, Satan will be cast out into the Lake of Fire. All that he has wrought in sin will be nullified – except the actions of those who are following Satan.

#4 To Save us and establish his kingdom

His kingdom is HUGE – a family kingdom. That is why he is not ashamed to call you “brothers & sisters.” We are a family kingdom.

v. 10

“10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. “

Acts: “Salvation is found in no one else; there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Romans “Those God foreknew he also predestined to become like Christ…”

“To those who received him; to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

When he establishes his kingdom, we will reign with him. He is the “King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.” So who are the small “kings and lords”? We are.

We shall regain what we lost in sin – through Jesus Christ.

Col “When Jesus Christ who is your life appears, you will also appear with him in glory, honor, and crown.”

Conclusion

v. 17-18

“17 For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. “

Angels cannot understand you – because they have not become like you. They cannot identify and empathize with our weaknesses and needs. But: Jesus can.

Jesus became like us – he became completely identified with us in our weaknesses and needs. That’s why he can empathize with us – through his practical experience.

“He had to be made like his brothers “ – i.e. become man.

He experienced the sinless infirmities of man. He knew what it was to be a helpless baby, growing child, awkward adolescent. He knew what it was like to be lied about, accused, weak, pain, death. All of this was a part of his practical training for his heavenly ministry as our High Priest. He is both merciful and faithful.

• Especially he is merciful to us,
• faithful to God.

He made the necessary atonement for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God. He did not need atonement for himself because he was sinless.

v. 18

“18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. “

He was tempted in every way as we are, but he was not defeated.

Remember what happens to us when we are tempted to sin. Even I, as a pastor, am not perfect, and suffer temptation. When we are tempted, Jesus stands ready to help us.

“Who is it… ? Jesus who was crucified and resurrected. Interceding for us.”

1 Cor 10:13

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

Let’s pray.