Why Did the Eternal God Put on Human Flesh?
Hebrews 2:5-18
By Dr. R Bruce Montgomery
Solomon, at dedication of the temple which he had built for God, asked the question: But will God really dwell on earth with men? The heavens, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!
(II Chronicles 6:18).
When Jesus was born - Solomon’s question was answered. Yes, God will really dwell on earth with men. In fact, in a sense far greater that Solomon could anticipate, for he not only came to dwell on earth with men, (which could have done and still retained his unique “otherness,” as an alien, but on earth as a man!)
Leaves us with question - why would God do such a thing? Why would the supreme Creator and sustainer of the universe, sovereign ruler, full of glory and radiance, and power, lay all that aside, spend nine months in Mary’s womb, and be born in a stable in a little obscure town in the Judean hills?
J. B. Phillips tells the story of an angel describing the splendors of the universe to a newcomer. Past whirling galaxies and blazing suns, they crossed the infinite distances of space to a galaxy of 500 billion stars.
The senior angel pointed to a small sphere turning slowly on its axis. It looked as dull as a dirty tennis ball to the little angel, whose mind was filled with the size and glory of what he had seen. `Watch that one particularly,’ said the senior angel, pointing with his finger. `It looks very small to me,’ said the little angel. `What’s special about that one?’
"He listened in stunned disbelief as the senior angel told him that this planet, small and insignificant and not overly clean, was the renowned Visited Planet.
"`Do you mean that our glorious Prince stooped so low as to become one of those creeping, crawling creatures of that floating ball?’
"`I do, and I don’t think He would like you to call them creeping, crawling creatures. For strange as it may seem to us, He loves them. He went down to visit them to lift them up to become like Him.’ The little angel looked blank. Such a thought was almost beyond his comprehension."
Why did the eternal God put on human flesh?
Was it so 2,000 years later Americans could have a holiday from work, frantically overspending their budgets buying one another gifts and rushing from place to place so the relatives wouldn’t feel slighted?
Was it so we could decorate the church with nativity and Christmas symbols, and sing seasonal carols, and have programs for the children to be in and the adults to watch?
No! The purpose of Jesus, eternal God, Creator and Sustainer, heir of heaven and the glory and radiance of the Father, becoming human is spelled out in these verses before us.
In just a moment we will discover from this text three of the primary reasons he came (and there are many other reasons, implications, and effects of his coming as well, which we won’t describe now):
First, vs. 5-8. Remember two weeks ago – Jesus’ superiority to the angels.
To whom has God subjected all things? Not angels.
Who rules in the world to come? Not angels.
Quotes from Psalm 8 (which we read responsively at start of the service).
Human beings.
But not yet. Vs. 7 – made “a little lower than the angels.” Could translate it as, “for a while less . . . than the angels.” Though a “little lower” (i.e. inferior. Cf. limitations of spirit versus human body), God never promised the angels/heavenly beings that they would reign in world to come.
Flow of thought: Last week first four verses – need to be careful lest we drift away from the Word of God and neglect our great salvation. Verses 5-8 is still talking about why our salvation is of such great value. Another aspect of why it is so great is that because of this salvation we are destined to be (vs. 7) “crowned with glory and honor” and have all that is in creation put in subjection under our feet.”
Writing to persecuted church - in hiding. Writer reminds them that God has an ultimate intention for them that no angel can ever attain - to rule the world to come! No Roman emperor could experience a fraction of the rule that was to be theirs!
Problem (vs. 8) at this point everything “at present” is not subject to him (Him referring to “man,” “humanity.”) Serious problem: man not exercising dominion over animals, fish, birds. In fact, has a hard time controlling himself!
So the tension builds. How is this problem to be solved? Man is to rule creation under God. But we look around, and don’t see man ruling!
Read verses 9-11
Vs. 9 - but we see Jesus! He is the answer to man’s dilemma. Here is Jesus, God in human flesh, who “was made a little lower than the angels” and he is now (already) crowned with glory and honor.
For us, “being a little lower than the angels” is the height of exaltation. When Jesus was “made a little lower than the angels,” was for him the depth of humiliation. Jesus had to stoop way down to reach the height of man’s glory!
This is the first time he is referred do as “Jesus” in this little book. It was the name Gabriel gave him at his birth. It means “the Lord is salvation,” and as Gabriel told Mary, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew’s account - Matt. 1:21).
Why did eternal God put on human flesh?
1. He came to save us from our sin and make us holy.
He came to die for us. Vs. 9b . . . “so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.”
In Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, is the grave of a soldier. The stone bears these words: "Abraham Lincoln’s substitute." Amidst the anguish of the conflict of America’s tragic Civil War, the President had chosen to honor this man as his representative--making him a symbol of the fact that those who perished in the battle were dying that others might live!
Winston Churchill was honoring members of the Royal Air Force who had guarded England during the second world war. Recounting their brave service, he declared, "Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to so few.”
This is a fitting and well-deserved tribute to the courageous men and women who sacrificed so much in battle.
But there is One whose selfless sacrifice resulted in even greater benefits for mankind. Jesus Christ died on a cross and shed His blood to pay for the sins of the entire world. Of Him it can be said: Never in the history of mankind have so many owed so much to one Man.
As the “author of our salvation” (KJV “captain”) vs. 10, he was made “perfect” through suffering. Doesn’t imply that Jesus was at one time imperfect.
“Perfect” means “complete, effective, or adequate.” Jesus couldn’t have become an adequate, effective Savior and High Priest had he not become human, and suffered and died. It was impossible for God to fully identify and thus fully sympathize with people apart from his taking on human flesh and participating in the experience of being human.
Scripture says “it was fitting.” In other words, the way of salvation is not arbitrary. Salvation through suffering is consistent with the character of the Almighty God! With a word he spoke the world into existence. As the Word - the incarnate Son who was humiliated, suffered, died, resurrected, ascended, and is in session with the Father in heaven - as the Word, he effected our salvation.
Lewis Bayly, one of John Bunyan’s two favorite writers, wrote an imaginary dialogue between a redeemed soul and Jesus Christ.
Soul. Lord, why did you let yourself be taken when you might have escaped your enemies?
Christ. That your spiritual enemies should not take you, and cast you into a prison of utter darkness.
Soul. Lord, why did you let yourself be bound?
Christ. That I might loose the cords of your iniquities.
Soul. Lord, why did you let yourself be lifted up upon a cross?
Christ. That I might lift you up with me to heaven.
Soul. Lord, why were your hands and feet nailed to the cross?
Christ. To enlarge your hands to do the works of righteousness and to setg your feet at liberty, to walk in the ways of peace.
Soul. Lord, why did you have your arms nailed wide?
Christ. That I might embrace you more lovingly.
Soul. Lord, why was your side opened with a spear?
Christ. That you might have a way to come near to My heart.
AN ASPECT OF THE PURPOSE OF JESUS DEATH FOR US that is too often neglected is that he, was that he did so to make us holy. (The “from” and “to” aspects of salvation).
Vs. 11 “Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers.”
“Without holiness, no one can see God.”
Jesus shares our humanity, and as the second Adam redeemed us from sin, giving us a transfusion of his holiness.
Jesus even calls us “brothers!”
Shame and guilt cripple us. But Jesus isn’t ashamed of us! He isn’t reluctant, but rejoices to call us brothers. “These are my brothers and sisters!” he says. This little house-church, trembling in fear and hiding , are my brothers and sisters!
These sophisticated on the outside but trembling on the inside twentieth century American Christians, are my brothers and sisters!
No! You’re not yet 100%holy! We are “works in process.” Bumper sticker: Please be patient – God is not finished with me yet. But, despite your being in process, Jesus is not ashamed of you. He doesn’t condemn you. He loves you with an immeasurable love. Because he loves you he’s in the process of changing you, but you don’t have to change before he will love you!
Reason # 2. He came to destroy the devil and free us from the fear of death.
Vs. 14, 15 “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.”
The fact of death is a relentless reality. The fear of death dogs man’s steps and haunts his thoughts, no matter how he attempts to escape it. Despite advances in technology medical biology, the fact remains – we all DIE, and The more we fear it, the more dreadful it becomes.
The people originally reading the letter, persecuted and hiding, were literally fearing for their lives. One word from the authorities, and any one of them could be carted off to death. The fear of death had its icy fingers around many trembling hearts, so that they were, “held in slavery by their fear of death.”
Why do we fear death? 5 reasons:
(1) fear of pain
(2) fear of separation from what we know and the ones we love
(3) fear of the unknown
(4) fear of non-being
(5) fear of everlasting punishment.
Except for matter of physical pain and sadness at leaving loved ones behind, none of these need be a part of a believer’s conscious or unconscious thoughts.
Because Jesus was real “flesh and blood,” he was able to die in our place. His atoning death effected the destruction of Satan’s power of death, and therefore we can be free from the fear of death.
Rev. 1:17, 18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
Romans 8:35, 37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
. . . No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who love us.
Heidelberg Catechism begins:
Question 1. What is thy only comfort in life and in death?
Answer.
That I, with body and soul, both in life and in death, am not my own, but belong to my faithful Saviour Jesus Christ, who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and redeemed me from the power of the devil, and so preserves me that without the will of my Father in heaven not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must work together for my salvation. Wherefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready henceforth to live unto him.
Jesus didn’t come to save angels. He came to save people. This meant that he had to take on flesh and blood and become human. Only then could he die and through his death defeat Satan.
“Destroy” doesn’t mean “annihilate.” It is obvious that Satan is still alive and busy. It means “render inoperative, make of none effect.” Satan is not obliterated, but since Jesus died for us, we are freed from Satan’s dominion.
S. D. Gordon, a Boston preacher, used a beat-up rusty bird cage one Sunday to illustrate his sermon. First, he explained how he had come by the cage: When he first saw it, it contained several miserable small birds, and was carried by a boy of about 10.
"Curious, he asked the lad what he was going to do with the birds, which he had obviously trapped. `I’m going to play with them...have some fun with them,’ the boy responded. `But after that,’ the preacher persisted. `Oh, I have some cats at home, and they like birds,’ said the boy.
"Compassion tugged at the minister’s heart, and he asked the boy what he would take for the birds. Surprised, the boy blurted, `Mister, you don’t want to buy these birds. They’re ugly...just field birds. They don’t even sing or anything.’ Nevertheless, Dr. Gordon persisted and soon struck a bargain with the boy for the birds and the cage. At the first opportunity, he released the poor creatures.
"After explaining about the bird cage, Dr. Gordon then told another story: this time about how Satan boasted that he had baited a trap and caught a world full of people. `What are you going to do with them?’ Jesus asked him. `I’m going to play with them, tease them, make them marry and divorce, and fight and kill each other. I’ll teach them to throw bombs at each other,’ Satan replied.
"`And when you get tired of playing with them?’ Jesus asked. `Then I’ll condemn them,’ Satan answered. `They’re no good anyway.’
"Jesus then asked Satan what he would take for them. `You can’t be serious,’ the devil responded. `They would just spit on You. They’d hit You and hammer nails into You. They’re no good.’ `
How much?’ the Lord asked him again.
`All Your tears and all Your blood; that’s the price,’ Satan said gleefully.
"Jesus paid the price, took the cage, and opened the door."
[Pulpit Helps, Jan 1996. Page 8.]
3. He became human to become our “merciful and faithful” high priest
Vs. 17 “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” Jesus Christ is both merciful and faithful. He is merciful toward people, and faithful toward God. He cannot fail in his priestly ministries. He made the necessary sacrifice for our sins so that we might be reconciled to God.
a. God-ward - made atonement (17 details) “. . . in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.”
Each year two goats without blemish stood before the high priest in the bright Middle Eastern sun. Lots were cast, and the priest slowly led one to the altar to be killed as a sin offering for the people. Its blood was sprinkled on the mercy seat. That goat was a sacrifice.
The other goat, known as the scapegoat, portrays another truth. The priest placed both hands on its forehead and confessed the sins of Israel. Then the goat was led out into the desert and turned loose. As it wandered away, never to be seen again, it symbolically took Israel’s sins along with it. They were gone. The people were reconciled to God. That goat was a substitute.
So the two goats representing two truths: sacrifice and substitution. Both of these goats were pictures of what Christ would do for us when he died.
The cross became an upright altar, where the Lamb of God gave His life as a sacrifice for sin. And what the scapegoat symbolically portrayed for Israel--the removal of their sins--Jesus fulfilled in reality. He became our substitute. Because of our identification with Him as believers, our sins have been taken away completely.
b. Human-ward - helps us in our temptations.
Vs. 18 - “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
His name was Joseph Damien, and you’ve probably heard his story before, but it bears repeating. A Belgian priest, he was sent in 1873 to minister to lepers in Hawaii. As soon as he arrived on Molokai, he began trying to build friendships with the residents of the leper colony, but they rejected him. He poured himself into this ministry, building a small chapel and holding worship services. But hardly anyone came.
After 12 long years, he gave up. While standing on the pier about to board the ship that would take him back to Belgium, he looked down at his hands. The white spots he saw could mean only one thing. He had contracted leprosy. So instead of going home, he returned to his work in the leper colony.
The news of the missionary’s disease spread through the community within hours, and soon the lepers--hundreds of them--had gathered outside his hut. They understood his pain and despair. The following Sunday when Damien arrived at the chapel, the small building was filled to overflowing. That was the beginning of a long and fruitful ministry.
What made the difference? Now the lepers knew that he understood their condition. There was no question about whether he cared or not. In the same way, we have a God who has identified with our situation. Though without sin, our Savior experienced all the pain and frustration of earthly existence in order to bring us life.
[Adapted from Moments for Pastors by Robert Strand. New Leaf Press, 1994. Day 11.]
Angels are pure spirits, who have never suffered as humans do. They cannot identify with us in our weakness and need (tho’ do come to serve us at God’s command). But Jesus can identify with us! While he was here on earth, Jesus was “made like his brothers” in that he experienced the infirmities of human nature. He knew what it was to be an embryo in a mother’s womb, totally dependent on her for his life. He knew what it was to be helpless baby, a growing child, a maturing adolescent.
He knew what it was to be bone-weary, to be hungry, to be thirsty. He knew what it was to be despised and rejected, to be lied about and falsely accused. He experienced physical suffering and death. All of which enables him to be not only sympathetic, but empathetic as our High Priest.
What happens when we who are saved, who are one of his “brothers” and “children” are tempted to sin? He stands ready to help us!
The word “help” (KJV succor) literally means “to run to the cry of a child.” He can bring us help when it is needed! He was tempted when he was on earth, but no temptation ever conquered him! Because he has defeated every enemy, he is able to give us the grace that we need to overcome temptation.
As review this passage, I cannot help but be amazed at the grace and wisdom of God. From a human point of view, it would seem foolish for Jesus to give up all of heaven’s glory and his position to put on flesh and become man. Yet it was this very act of grace that made possible our salvation and all that goes with it.
By Jesus Christ becoming man, he made it possible for us to share in his glory.
He is not ashamed to call us his brothers and sisters!
We must not be ashamed to call him Lord! For it is because he loved us, and died for us, that we can face today’s problems and tomorrow’s uncertainties without fear!
Concluding Story
Following a great victory, King Cyrus of Persia took as prisoners a noble prince, his wife, and their children.
When they were brought into the leader’s tent to stand before him, Cyrus said to the prince, "What will you give me if I set you free?" He replied, "I will give you half of all that I possess."
"And what will you give me if I release your children?" continued Cyrus. "Your majesty, I will give you all that I possess."
The king questioned him further, "But what will you give me if I set your wife at liberty?" Looking at the one he loved so dearly, the prince replied without hesitation, "If you will restore my wife to freedom, I will give you my life." Cyrus was so moved by his devotion that he released the entire family without asking recompense.
That evening the prince said to his wife, "Did you not think Cyrus a very handsome man?"
"I did not notice him," she answered.
"Why, my dear, where were your eyes?" exclaimed her husband.
She replied, "I had eyes only for the one who said he would lay down his life for me."
