He Came In Our Image to Make Us In His Image

“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. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.” (Hebrews 2:17-18 NKJV)

https://www.bible.com/bible/114/heb.2.17-18.nkjv

That I know of, the word propitiation is used only in religious contexts. It refers to a substitutionary sacrifice, such as when a lamb, bull or the like is sacrificed on behalf of the sins of a family or a nation. Because it is not used in any other contexts, it’s not a word one really hears a lot.

The writer to the Hebrews here points out that for Jesus to be a substitutionary sacrifice for us required that He be made like us, suffering and being tempted in like fashion. Having gone through such trials, we are aided by the confidence that by the power of His Holy Spirit we can withstand such difficulties, even as He did. Not even our most difficult dilemmas are beyond His help.

Paul gave extended the comparison even further, challenging us to be like our Lord. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” (Philippians 2:5-7 NKJV) Not only was He made like you and me, but He became a bondservant, basically a a slave.

No other faith, religion or sect has such a leader, such an example for its adherents. Are we willing to do as He did?

Related scriptures

“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, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NKJV)

“For every high priest taken from among men is appointed for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness. Because of this he is required as for the people, so also for himself, to offer sacrifices for sins. And no man takes this honor to himself, but he who is called by God, just as Aaron was.

“So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:

‘You are My Son,

Today I have begotten You.”

“As He also says in another place:

‘You are a priest forever

According to the order of Melchizedek”;

“who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.” (Hebrews 5:1-11 NKJV)

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16 NKJV)