Making the Connection

 Hebrews 2: 14-18

¹⁴ Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of 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 them,fully human 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.

Things think about:

•           The previous chapter emphasized Jesus’ equality with God. This passage underscores His full humanity.
•          It says that since we are flesh and blood He became flesh and blood so that He could die. As God, He isn’t capable of dying so He had to become man in order to die 
•           His purpose in dying was to break the power of the one who holds the power over the one thing that holds people in slavery – their fear of death
•          While angels do not need the gift He gives, neither can they know the power of grace and forgiveness
•          So He became like us, fully, not partially, so he could show us His mercy and be the payment for sin that we could never be
•          His temptations were real, not superficial. It says He suffered when tempted. But because He did suffer, He is able to help us in our temptations.
•          How does Jesus’ model of compassion, empathy, and self-sacrifice speak to you today in understanding how much you’re worth to God?
•          How does Jesus’ example speak to you in terms of how you show grace and mercy to others?
•         What power is available to you when confronted by temptation?