Hebrews 2:14-18

God took on the limitations of His earthly creations so that in becoming like them He could understand their fears and help them in all their trials. Jesus lived, died and through the power of the Holy Spirit conquered death in His resurrection so that we could, in Him, live forever.

Christ shared in our humanity by humbling himself to become a man. The devil is still active today, but his power over death has been taken away from him. Christ's death fulfilled the penalty for sin. Thus by placing our trust in Christ, we can be free from Satan's evil grasp. The devil uses the fear of death to enslave us. Through His death, the Son eliminated such fear and broke the bondage of sin and death. Jesus participated in our nature and in our sufferings on earth so that He could be a sympathetic Mediator between God and humanity. He understands our weaknesses and intercedes for us in the presence of God the Father. He is a merciful (sympathetic) and faithful (trustworthy) High Priest. Christ appeased God's righteous wrath by dying on the Cross in our place. Although completely perfect and sinless, Christ voluntarily submitted to the penalty of sin, His agonizing death on the Cross. This voluntary sacrifice of Himself for our welfare satisfied the justice and holiness of God. Christ's suffering included temptation. He experienced the lure of sin, but He never surrendered Himself to it. He knows what it is like to be tempted, so He knows how to assist those who are being tempted.

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.