Hebrews chapter 2 is part of a letter written to a group of Jewish Christians who were facing persecution and struggling to hold on to their faith in Jesus Christ. The author of the letter is unknown, but the letter was likely written in the late first century A.D.

Chapter 2 begins by emphasizing the importance of paying attention to what has been spoken by God through His Son, Jesus Christ. The author argues that since Jesus is the Son of God, He is greater than the angels and deserves our full attention and obedience. The chapter provides us with some insights into why Jesus became human. The author of Hebrews emphasizes that Jesus took on human form in order to become a merciful and faithful high priest who could make atonement for our sins and help us in our struggles.

One reason why Jesus became human was so that he could experience our suffering and temptation firsthand. The author of Hebrews notes that because Jesus has suffered and been tempted, he is able to empathize with us and offer us the help we need in our own struggles. Jesus’ humanity allows him to relate to us and to understand our weaknesses and limitations.

Another reason why Jesus became human was so that he could offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins. The author of Hebrews notes that Jesus’ death on the cross was a necessary and perfect sacrifice for our sins, and that by dying for us, Jesus is able to offer us forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

The author of Hebrews notes that Jesus’ humanity also enables him to serve as our high priest. As a high priest, Jesus is able to represent us before God and to offer prayers and sacrifices on our behalf. Because he has experienced human weakness and temptation, he is uniquely qualified to intercede for us and to help us in our times of need.

Hebrews 2 reminds us that Jesus’ humanity is essential to our salvation. By becoming human, Jesus was able to empathize with us, offer himself as a sacrifice for our sins, and serve as our faithful high priest.

Hebrews 2: 1-18

1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:

“What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
7 You made them a little lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honor
8 and put everything under their feet.”

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says,

“I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
in the assembly I will sing your praises.”

13 And again,

“I will put my trust in him.”

And again he says,

“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

Life Applications:

• Pay attention to Jesus: The author of Hebrews urges us to pay the most careful attention to what we have heard about Jesus, so that we do not drift away. In our own lives, we can make a conscious effort to prioritize our relationship with Jesus and to seek him through prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship with other believers.
• Remember that Jesus understands our struggles: Because Jesus became human and experienced suffering and temptation, he is able to empathize with us in our own struggles. When we face challenges, we can take comfort in the fact that Jesus understands and is with us.
• Embrace Jesus as our high priest: Jesus’ humanity enables him to serve as our high priest, representing us before God and offering prayers and sacrifices on our behalf. We can embrace Jesus in this role by seeking his intercession and bringing our needs and concerns to him in prayer.
• Remember that Jesus’ sacrifice has set us free: Jesus’ death on the cross was a perfect sacrifice for our sins, and through faith in him, we have been set free from the power of sin and death. We can live in the freedom and joy that comes from knowing that we have been forgiven and reconciled with God.
• Share the message of salvation with others: The author of Hebrews notes that the message of salvation through Jesus was first announced by the Lord and confirmed to us by those who heard him. We too can share this message with others, proclaiming the good news of salvation and inviting others to experience the grace and love of Jesus.