Jesus Christ has identified Himself with mankind, wherefore He is not ashamed to call us brethren (Heb. 2: 11). He could have taken to Himself ". . . the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham" (Heb. 2:17). But, why?

God's Perfect Holiness

"There is none holy as the Lord: for there is none besides thee; neither is there any rock like our God" 0 Sam. 2:2). Joshua said of God, he is a holy God" (Josh. 24:19). The priests under the law were to be holy, for I the Lord, which sanctify you, am holy" (Lev. 21:8).

In both Greek and Roman Mythology, the gods created by man were engulfed with all forms of unholiness, ungodliness, and immorality. Hatred, murder, illicit sex was but a few of their detriments.

Angels Who Sinned

"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day" (Jude 6). Peter affirms that ". . . God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into the chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment (2 Pet. 2:4).

Apparently no room for repentance and restoration to favor was permitted to the angels. In exalting the great salvation afforded mankind, Peter observes, "...which things the angels desire to look into" (I Pet. 1:12).

Man's Proneness to Sin

From Eden until the present time, man has been prone to sin! God does not sin, but His creature is one who sins. Why?

God created man with the ability to choose good from evil and follow the better way. Only intelligent beings have the ability to be tempted. If one could not be tempted, holiness would carry no virtue!

Jesus became man in order to identify Himself with man and to understand the weakness and sinfulness of man. "Wherefore in all things it behooved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people; For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted" (Heb. 2:17-18).

God could not be tempted! Thus, Jesus became man, for man can be tempted. Now a person of God understands the temptations which man must suffer, and is able to give assistance to man under duress of temptation.

Two Blessings

1) Forgiveness of sins is afforded man. Remember, angels who sinned were not extended this blessing. Man is offered a greater blessing than that extended to angels.

2) Help to overcome temptations. Jesus will "succor" those who are tempted. Succor (boetheo) means ". . . to come to the aid of anyone" (Vine). Jesus is able to help one who is tempted because He was tempted! One reason to come boldly unto the throne of His grace is to "find grace to help 'in time of need" (Heb. 4:15). God's assurance is extended; He ". . . will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (I Cor. 10:13).

Mediator

As man's Mediator, Christ ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25). As one meditates upon this tremendous continuing work of Christ, he is made truly to appreciate more fully the fact that Jesus became man, that He might call us brethren.

TRUTH MAGAZINE, XVI: 13, p. 9a-10
February 3, 1972