Just like you and me!

The writer of Hebrews declared in chapter 2, verses 14-18, that Jesus became just like us. It can be hard to grasp such a thought. Jesus is just like us but He gave sight to a man born blind, fed thousands of people with a handful of food, walked on water and commanded a storm to cease, raised a man from dead. Need I go on? How can such a person be just like us?

The answer is in Jesus’ birth which provided flesh and blood. He added a human nature to His divine nature. The only person who ever has been or ever will be one person with two natures. Why should He leave heaven to take on the form of a man? Because He had to become just like you and me to accomplish the purposes for which God sent Him to earth.

Two key purposes are proclaimed by the writer. First, Jesus took on a human nature in order to deliver humanity from slavery to Satan, sin and death. Second, He came to be a merciful and faithful high priest to those who place faith in Him. That almost sounds too good to be true. What do we need to do?

First, consider the incarnation, the Son of God being born into humanity. It was done so that He could die just like you and me. Charles Spurgeon, Think of Christ, who was a partaker of the Eternal Godhead, condescending to make Himself a partaker of flesh and blood . . . the Infinite, an infant; the Eternal prepared to die, and actually dying! To break the power of Satan, Jesus had to die as our substitute. The beauty of the cross is in the wondrous deliverance His death brings to us who place faith in Him alone. Donald Hagner, Death, indeed, may still occur, but it need no longer be feared. Its sovereignty, like the devil’s, is limited and soon to come to an end. Through the death of Jesus, and all that this means, Christians are set free from the fear that perpetually enslaves others.

Second, consider priestly service. The writer of Hebrews declared that Jesus became a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God. A high priest was chosen among men to offer gifts of sacrifices for sins as noted in Romans 5:1. Jesus’ function went beyond all other high priests. He not only offered up a sacrifice, He was the sacrifice. All other high priests had access to the Holy of Holies once per year. When Jesus died on the cross, the Temple veil was torn in two from top to bottom. His priestly service provides access at all times for us who trust His work on our behalf.

Consider a final note concerning Jesus’ life. He is a merciful high priest because He experienced everything we experience. William Barclay, He has met our sorrows; he has faced our temptations. As a result, he knows exactly what help we need; and he can give it. Jesus is not only empathetic but willing and able to deliver us in times of need. How thankful we should be that the Son of God became just like you and me, for our benefit. Warren Wiersbe notes Jesus’ close relationship to us, He is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. Are we ashamed to call Him “Lord”?

Learn more about why it is so important that Jesus became just like you and me. Hebrews 2:14-18 which may be found under the Books of the Bible tab. Jesus is just like you and me but so much more!