Reflecting on Truth #22
Q: Why must the Redeemer be truly human?
A: That in human nature he might on our behalf perfectly obey the whole law and suffer the punishment for human sin; and also that he might sympathize with our weaknesses.
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. (Hebrews 2:17)
Why does this matter?
First, we are taught in Hebrews 2:17 that Jesus “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.” Death came to all through the first Adam, but life and justification now come through the second Adam, that is, Christ (Romans 5). In order for Jesus to make propitiation for the sins of God’s people, He must be truly human. It is only a sinless and righteous human who can take upon himself punishment that is due to others. This human must be blameless and free of guilt, otherwise he would be bearing the punishment for his own sins and cannot bear the sins of another.
Second, we are taught that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). A sinner deserves death; it is righteous and just for God to punish sinners for their sin. Since God in His divine nature cannot die, the Redeemer must be truly human, must be capable of death, in order to take upon Himself the penalty of sin on behalf of sinners. Jesus must take upon Himself human flesh, together with a human nature, in order to undergo death on behalf of God’s people.
Third, Hebrews 4:15 teaches us that our Redeemer is able to sympathize with our weaknesses because He has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet without sin. We have a Redeemer who not only earned righteousness for us, paid the price of sin on our behalf, but is also able to sympathize with our human weakness. He understands what we are going through, our struggles, our pains, our failures, our anxieties. He demonstrates to us how we can respond to the troubles of life and how we can live the way that God intends for us to live. We have a perfect example in Jesus, and it is because He is truly human, He is like us in every way, yet without sin.
What does this mean for us?
We can be like our Redeemer in His humanity because He is truly human. Our Redeemer is not unlike us and He is not a stranger to temptations and suffering. He knows what it’s like to hunger, thirst, and lose loved ones. He has been tempted in every way but He did not sin. He is the perfect example of humility and an utter dependence on God His Father.
Sometimes, the Christian life can feel daunting and we feel as though it is impossible to live in a manner that is pleasing to God. Yet we are called to look to Christ, our Redeemer and great High Priest, who is merciful towards us and who is ever faithful. We can have complete assurance of our salvation because of His imputed righteousness and His sacrifice upon the cross on behalf of sinners like us. We can have hope knowing that the Spirit who strengthened Jesus is the same Spirit who lives in us and who sanctifies us. Yes, we still fail, we still succumb to temptations unlike Jesus, but now we can look to our Redeemer and live the way that humanity was meant to be. How are we looking to Christ as our model of living? How are we trusting in God our Father and the work of the Spirit to lead our lives?
May we strive with the help of God to live according to His Word, bearing in mind the work and example of our Redeemer who is like us in every way, yet without sin.