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We have not yet seen all of this take place, but we do see Jesus who for a while was a little lower than the angels-crowned now by God with glory and honor because he suffered death for us. Yes, because of God's great kindness, Jesus tasted death for everyone in all the world. And it was right and proper that God, who made everything for his own glory, should allow Jesus to suffer, for in doing this he was bringing vast multitudes of God's people to heaven; for his suffering made Jesus a perfect Leader, one fit to bring them into their salvation. We who have been made holy by Jesus, now have the same Father he has. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call us his brothers. For he says in the book of Psalms,
"I will talk to my brothers about God my Father, and together we
will sing his praises."
At another time he said,
"I will put my trust in God along with my brothers."
And at still another time,
"See, here am I and the children God gave me."
Since we, God's children, are human beings - made of flesh and blood - he became flesh and blood too by being born in human form; for only as a human being could he die and in dying break the power of the devil who had the power of death. Only in that way could he deliver those who through fear of death have been Living all their lives as slaves to constant dread.
We all know he did not come as an angel but as a human being - yes, a Jew. And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us, his brothers, so that he could be our
merciful and faithful High Priest before God, a Priest who would be both merciful to us and faithful to God in dealing with the sins of the people. For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help
us.
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