“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. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (2:17,18 ESV)
Christ is higher than the angels, yet He made Himself the lowest of humanity (compare Philippians 2) in order to serve His creation. His experience in human flesh verified His genuine love for the Father and for us.
The temptation of Jesus recorded in the gospel (Matthew 4:1-11) is an interesting comparison to this chapter in Hebrews. It lists three specific areas in which Jesus was tested. It describes the tester as being the devil, Satan (we know him to be a fallen angel). One of the temptations involved invoking the services of angels (v. 6). And Jesus was attended to by angels once Satan had fled.
But the interesting thing about the temptation is that it was not about angels, but about humanity. The testing was for the benefit of the children of Abraham – not angels (He. 2:16). Therefore, this significant event done in solitude from humanity was indeed for the full benefit for humanity.
He is our high priest and He understands when nobody else understands. We can never claim that God does not understand our weaknesses. We can never claim that God does not understand the intensity of our temptations. We can never claim that God does not care about our sin problems.
Jesus not only went to the cross to pay for our sins, but He went through so much more so that we could know that we not only have a Savior, but that we have a High Priest Who understands.
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