The Almighty God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ. One moment he is in the splendour and glory of Heaven the next he is flesh and blood. The birth of Jesus is unique. He is born of a virgin and so short circuit the sin nature. We were born into a sin nature. Jesus was not born into sin as we are. See Hebrews 4:15. Jesus voluntarily became a man. We did not volunteer to be born! We had no choice in the matter. Why did glory come down?

1 – He came down to conquer Satan (vs. 14-15)

• He defeated Satan. (vs. 14). Jesus rendered the Devil ineffective. The Devil no longer has the power of death. Jesus took it away from him. It was the Devil’s greatest weapon. Death died when Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus has put the Devil out of business. See 1 John 3:8-10. Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil and He succeeded!
• He delivered slaves (vs. 15). The fear of death has kept us in bondage. The older you get more you think about death. Every time you go to a funeral you think about your own eventual death. We don’t like to think about it. We do not like pain. We will be separated from our loved ones. Death does not care how wonderful your life is together. There is the fear of the unknown. You don’t know where or when. Who wants to know anyway? Jesus has rescued me from the fear of death. I don’t know what tomorrow holds but I know who holds tomorrow. If you are trusting in Jesus you will not die – you WILL live on. There is a better life awaiting the Christian. So we do not have to fear death. The dog is barking but it has no bite! Jesus took the bite out of the dog! The tyrant has been destroyed. That is the good news. Jesus has promised to carry you through. See 2 Timothy 1:10. Jesus has abolished death. They can do what they like with the body. Your undertaker will have my body but Jesus will have my soul.

2 – He came down to complete salvation (vs. 16-17)

We have been made to be priests and kings. You do not need to confess anything to any priest. According to the Bible you are already a priest. You can talk directly to God. I do not have any more access to God than you have. You are your own priest. You can talk to God. We have a High Priest.

• His priesthood (vs. 16) – Jesus can identify with everything we go through. Jesus has already experienced it all. We have a merciful God. He understands it all. Jesus has experienced it. It makes you more merciful if you have been there yourself. Jesus has been there. You can talk to your High Priest. Jesus is your High Priest. He is a faithful High Priest. People will let you down but not Jesus.
• His payment (vs17) – Jesus makes reconciliation for the sins of the people. God is holy but we are sinful. We could not pay for our sins. All we could do is be punish for our sins. Jesus paid for our sins. There is one mediator between man and God – the man Christ Jesus. The blood of Jesus paid for my sin. It happened because glory came down!

3 – He came down to control our sanctification (vs. 18)

After salvation we have sanctification. The things that used to be in our life are cut out. Things that were not in our life are brought into our lives. We are constantly being tempted. God will not allow us to be tempted above what we are able. Jesus has been tempted. His temptation was far greater than our temptations. Jesus is able to take more temptation than we can.

Some people enjoy temptation and put themselves in the wrong place. Temptation is not to be joyful or funny. For Jesus it was a time of suffering and bother. There is a constant temptation to do what is wrong. Jesus is able! Jesus is able. Jesus is God’s provision. See Hebrews 7:25.

Jesus is able to save you. If you are not saved or not sure then come to Jesus. He is able to save. If we are going to overcome temptation there are three things we need to do:-

• Confront the lies of Satan – Every time Satan tempts us there is a lie in there somewhere. All you get from giving into temptation is guilt. If you are saved that is. Satan is out fishing and there are always those who will get caught. You will be hooked, caught and fried!
• Claim the truth of scripture – Remember what Jesus did when he was tempted? Don’t get involved in long discussions with Satan. Just quote scripture and get out of there!
• Call for the help of the Saviour – If you don’t you will be all by yourself and you will fail. We have someone to swim beside us. He tells us to leave it alone!

Categories: Hebrews