He Shared Our Humanity

It’s said that you cannot really understand what someone is going through until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes. In other words, spending time trying to consider or understand another person's perspectives, experiences, or motivations before making a judgment about them.

When Jesus was born in Bethlehem He was putting on our shoes, so to speak.

Hebrews 2:14–18 NIV84

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— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 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. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Limited

Subject to suffering

Mortal

Why?

Destroy the devil – take his power away

Holds the power of death – death is the result of sin. He gained his power when he seduced humankind to rebel against God.

Jesus broke this power by His total obedience to God, and giving His life.

Free those held in slavery

Satan uses people’s fear of death to enslave them to his will.

By their fear of death – how many things do people do out of fear of death

Matthew 16:25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

If death were simply the end of our existence it would not be feared, but death is the beginning of eternal existence, either in heaven of in hell. Death is not followed by nothingness but by judgment. This is why Jesus’ becoming like us and destroying the power of death is so important.

While we are still subject to physical death it is no longer something to be feared.

Become a merciful and faithful high priest

The high priest represented the people before God

Make atonement for sins

Not only offered the sacrifice but was Himself the sacrifice

Represented God to the people

Merciful – showing compassion. To be merciful, one must act to alleviate another’s pain.

Faithful – trustworthy

In doing God’s will

In keeping His promises

Because He suffered

Was tempted in every way

Hebrews 4:15 NIV84

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.

Is able to help

We all have problems, we’ve all suffered. It can be tempting to think that no one cares, but Jesus cares, that no one understands, but Jesus understands, that we are all alone, but Jesus is with us always.

Has walked in our shoes – knows what we are going through, understands our struggles

Has been victorious over His struggles – can give us guidance and strength to deal with ours.