Rev Rob Jones
Dec 27, 2025
6–9 minutes
Hebrews 2:10–18
It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one Father. For this reason Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters, in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” 13And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Here am I and the children whom God has given me.” 14Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. 16For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. 17Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. 18Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.
Introduction
The Writer of Hebrews shows us the profound mystery and necessity of Christ’s suffering. The passage centers on how Jesus became like us to bring us to glory. Christ’s incarnation and His solidarity with humanity give hope and comfort to all believers.
I. The Purpose of Christ’s Suffering (v. 10)
Hebrews tells us that God, in His infinite wisdom, deemed it entirely appropriate that salvation would be accomplished through the suffering of His Son, revealing not only justice and holiness but also God’s gracious character. Christ, the true Author and Forerunner of our salvation, blazed the path to glory for many by embracing suffering on our behalf. His obedience and qualification as Redeemer were not diminished but fully displayed through His trials and afflictions. As those united to Christ, we are called to imitate Him—the Suffering Servant—in our own servant leadership, humbling ourselves and bearing the burdens of others, trusting that as we show Christlike service, it is both fitting and fruitful to the advancement of God’s kingdom.
II. Christ’s Solidarity with Humanity (vv. 11–13)
Christ, as the One who sanctifies, and those whom He sanctifies, share a common origin, being united as members of one family. Scriptures tell us that Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. By doing so, he is demonstrating His complete identification with God’s people. The writer of Hebrews draws on Old Testament passages, such as Psalm 22:22, “I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And Isaiah 8:17–18, “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. See, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.” to affirm that Christ fully embraced our humanity and entered into our struggles.
In light of this profound solidarity, we, as those redeemed by Christ, are called to reflect His love by entering into the burdens and sufferings of others. It is by loving our neighbor as ourselves—empathizing with their trials and bearing their burdens—that we display the love of God at work within us, walking in the pattern of Christ who did not keep His distance but drew near in compassion and grace.
III. The Defeat of Death and the Devil (vv. 14–15)
The writer of Hebrews understands and is secure in his theology. In verses 14-15, we see this as he states, in divine wisdom, Jesus took upon himself “flesh and blood,” fully embracing our human nature so that, through His sacrificial death, He might shatter the dominion of death itself. By this fantastic atoning work, Christ has vanquished the adversary—the devil—who once wielded the power of death over fallen humanity.
Imagine that, as broken as this world is now, the devil does not hold power over death. In union with Christ, believers experience true liberation, not only from the fear of death but also from crippling doubt, as our assurance is grounded in the finished work of our Redeemer. Sanctified Christians understand this as a release that brings deep and abiding peace, for we rest in the certainty that our salvation is secure in Christ alone. The good news of the gospel frees us to live with confidence, knowing our Savior has conquered every enemy and now grants us the joy of fearless fellowship with God.
IV. The Merciful and Faithful High Priest (vv. 16–18)
The writer of Hebrews ends this passage by stating that Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, has been made like His brethren in every respect, that He might aid the true offspring of Abraham—those who possess saving faith. This understanding is reinforced throughout Hebrews 2 and will be reiterated in Hebrews 4. Together, they develop the doctrine of Christ’s complete identification with His people in true humanity (yet without sin) so that Jesus can be a merciful and faithful High Priest.
By sharing in our humanity and suffering, Jesus is ideally qualified to intercede for us and extend compassion in our weaknesses. Through His own trials, He intimately understands the temptations we endure and thus stands ready to help those who earnestly seek God’s will. Yet, this divine assistance is not given indiscriminately; it is the Holy Spirit who comforts and strengthens us, but only as we humbly submit ourselves in dutiful discernment, longing to obey the Word and glorify God through Christ.
The writer establishes the imperative that we need Christ, and, at the same time, this theology diminishes the need for a temple, since the High Priest is with us always. The message is clear: There is no peace apart from Him, for true peace is found only in union with the Savior. When we come to know Christ, trusting in His finished work and relying on the Spirit’s guidance, we are granted a deep and abiding peace that surpasses all understanding—a peace that endures even in the midst of temptation and trial.
Conclusion
Hebrews 2:10–18 assures us that Jesus is not a distant Savior but one who entered our suffering, conquered our enemies, and stands with us in every trial. This profound truth is at the heart of our faith, our worship, and our mission. The theology of the incarnation—God the Son taking on human flesh—was not merely a symbolic gesture, but the essential means by which the Son of God could fully identify with God’s people, bear their burdens, and secure their salvation through an obedient life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection.
As we celebrate the Christmas season, we are reminded of the wonder and humility of Christ’s birth. The eternal Son of God entered our world, not in royal splendor, but in the simplicity of a manger, embracing our frailty and experiencing every trial we face. Christmas, therefore, is not just a sentimental story—it is the declaration that God came near to us, fulfilling the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us.” Through His incarnation, Jesus personally entered into our suffering, lived among us, and became our merciful and faithful High Priest, as Hebrews affirms. He did not remain aloof from our pain, but shared in it, so that He might bring many sons and daughters to glory.
In light of this, we are called to rejoice in the sovereign grace of God, who sent His Son at the appointed time, and to rest in the assurance that our Savior truly understands our struggles. The Christmas message proclaims that the One who was born in Bethlehem is the same One who defeated death and the devil and now intercedes for us. This gives us confidence to draw near to Him, knowing that He is both able and willing to help us in every need. Hebrews affirms that Christmas is ultimately about Christ’s solidarity with His people—the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, the assurance of our salvation, and the invitation to trust in Him, who brings us from suffering to glory.
May we all contemplate this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Writer of Hebrews shows us the profound mystery and necessity of Christ’s suffering. The passage centers on how Jesus became like us to bring us to glory. Christ’s incarnation and His solidarity with humanity give hope and comfort to all believers.
I. The Purpose of Christ’s Suffering (v. 10)
Hebrews tells us that God, in His infinite wisdom, deemed it entirely appropriate that salvation would be accomplished through the suffering of His Son, revealing not only justice and holiness but also God’s gracious character. Christ, the true Author and Forerunner of our salvation, blazed the path to glory for many by embracing suffering on our behalf. His obedience and qualification as Redeemer were not diminished but fully displayed through His trials and afflictions. As those united to Christ, we are called to imitate Him—the Suffering Servant—in our own servant leadership, humbling ourselves and bearing the burdens of others, trusting that as we show Christlike service, it is both fitting and fruitful to the advancement of God’s kingdom.
II. Christ’s Solidarity with Humanity (vv. 11–13)
Christ, as the One who sanctifies, and those whom He sanctifies, share a common origin, being united as members of one family. Scriptures tell us that Jesus is not ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters. By doing so, he is demonstrating His complete identification with God’s people. The writer of Hebrews draws on Old Testament passages, such as Psalm 22:22, “I will tell of your name to my brothers and sisters; in the midst of the congregation I will praise you.” And Isaiah 8:17–18, “I will wait for the Lord, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him. See, I and the children whom the Lord has given me are signs and portents in Israel from the Lord of hosts, who dwells on Mount Zion.” to affirm that Christ fully embraced our humanity and entered into our struggles.
In light of this profound solidarity, we, as those redeemed by Christ, are called to reflect His love by entering into the burdens and sufferings of others. It is by loving our neighbor as ourselves—empathizing with their trials and bearing their burdens—that we display the love of God at work within us, walking in the pattern of Christ who did not keep His distance but drew near in compassion and grace.
III. The Defeat of Death and the Devil (vv. 14–15)
The writer of Hebrews understands and is secure in his theology. In verses 14-15, we see this as he states, in divine wisdom, Jesus took upon himself “flesh and blood,” fully embracing our human nature so that, through His sacrificial death, He might shatter the dominion of death itself. By this fantastic atoning work, Christ has vanquished the adversary—the devil—who once wielded the power of death over fallen humanity.
Imagine that, as broken as this world is now, the devil does not hold power over death. In union with Christ, believers experience true liberation, not only from the fear of death but also from crippling doubt, as our assurance is grounded in the finished work of our Redeemer. Sanctified Christians understand this as a release that brings deep and abiding peace, for we rest in the certainty that our salvation is secure in Christ alone. The good news of the gospel frees us to live with confidence, knowing our Savior has conquered every enemy and now grants us the joy of fearless fellowship with God.
IV. The Merciful and Faithful High Priest (vv. 16–18)
The writer of Hebrews ends this passage by stating that Christ, the merciful and faithful High Priest, has been made like His brethren in every respect, that He might aid the true offspring of Abraham—those who possess saving faith. This understanding is reinforced throughout Hebrews 2 and will be reiterated in Hebrews 4. Together, they develop the doctrine of Christ’s complete identification with His people in true humanity (yet without sin) so that Jesus can be a merciful and faithful High Priest.
By sharing in our humanity and suffering, Jesus is ideally qualified to intercede for us and extend compassion in our weaknesses. Through His own trials, He intimately understands the temptations we endure and thus stands ready to help those who earnestly seek God’s will. Yet, this divine assistance is not given indiscriminately; it is the Holy Spirit who comforts and strengthens us, but only as we humbly submit ourselves in dutiful discernment, longing to obey the Word and glorify God through Christ.
The writer establishes the imperative that we need Christ, and, at the same time, this theology diminishes the need for a temple, since the High Priest is with us always. The message is clear: There is no peace apart from Him, for true peace is found only in union with the Savior. When we come to know Christ, trusting in His finished work and relying on the Spirit’s guidance, we are granted a deep and abiding peace that surpasses all understanding—a peace that endures even in the midst of temptation and trial.
Conclusion
Hebrews 2:10–18 assures us that Jesus is not a distant Savior but one who entered our suffering, conquered our enemies, and stands with us in every trial. This profound truth is at the heart of our faith, our worship, and our mission. The theology of the incarnation—God the Son taking on human flesh—was not merely a symbolic gesture, but the essential means by which the Son of God could fully identify with God’s people, bear their burdens, and secure their salvation through an obedient life, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection.
As we celebrate the Christmas season, we are reminded of the wonder and humility of Christ’s birth. The eternal Son of God entered our world, not in royal splendor, but in the simplicity of a manger, embracing our frailty and experiencing every trial we face. Christmas, therefore, is not just a sentimental story—it is the declaration that God came near to us, fulfilling the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us.” Through His incarnation, Jesus personally entered into our suffering, lived among us, and became our merciful and faithful High Priest, as Hebrews affirms. He did not remain aloof from our pain, but shared in it, so that He might bring many sons and daughters to glory.
In light of this, we are called to rejoice in the sovereign grace of God, who sent His Son at the appointed time, and to rest in the assurance that our Savior truly understands our struggles. The Christmas message proclaims that the One who was born in Bethlehem is the same One who defeated death and the devil and now intercedes for us. This gives us confidence to draw near to Him, knowing that He is both able and willing to help us in every need. Hebrews affirms that Christmas is ultimately about Christ’s solidarity with His people—the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, the assurance of our salvation, and the invitation to trust in Him, who brings us from suffering to glory.
May we all contemplate this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
