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| “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity…” |
| —Hebrews 2:5-18 |
The miracle of the Incarnation causes such wonder and amazement among those who believe in the life-transforming power of the living Lord Jesus Christ. The miracle of the Incarnation causes such skepticism, rejection, scorn, and mockery on the part of those who do not believe.
The very idea that one of the three persons of the Trinity, God the Son, would come to earth, be born as a baby, and live here in subjection to all of the temptation and troubles of this world simply boggles the mind. Yet, the Incarnation is a foundational truth throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament of Holy Scripture.
The writer to the Jewish people across the then-known world who had accepted the fact that Jesus was, indeed, their Messiah, explained the miracle of the Incarnation in the most vivid imagery possible when he wrote these words found in Hebrews 2:5-18:
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified:
“What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor and put everything under their feet.”
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, “I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.” And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again he says, “Here am I, and the children God has given me.”
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—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 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. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
As we begin a new day, let’s ponder the reality that “God with Us”—Emmanuel—shares our humanity. Yet, He who knew no sin became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21). May God fill our hearts with joy as we consider the miracle of the Incarnation that leads to our salvation and to our eternal glory.
