His Humanity: Six striking features of Christ’s humanity are seen in this text. Debasement: Christ, who is far superior to angels, to whom God subjected the world to come, was made, for a little while (before exaltation), lower than the angels (v7; Phil. 2:8). Death: In the incarnation, the eternal and immortal God (1:12) became mortal and tasted death (v9), and He became our perfect[1] Savior through human suffering (v10; 5:8). Brotherhood: He became one of us to elevated our status as brethren (vv11-12). Body: He partook of the same body as the children whom the Father had given Him (vv13-14).[2] Fullness: He took on the fullness of humanity, becoming like His brethren in all things (v17), yet without sin (4:15; 7:26). Exaltation: Though debased for a time, He became all that Adam was supposed to be, crowned with glory and honor (v7) and ruling over all thing (v8). He became like us to be all that we should have been.
His Works: These facets of Christ’s humanity are woven into His works of salvation. Substitution: He tasted death for all His own (v9).[3] Priesthood: He became our merciful and faithful high priest (v17). Liberation: He freed us from the fear of death (v15). Propitiation: He made propitiation for our sins (v17). Empowerment: With His triumph over sin, He does not scoff at our weakness but empowers us to face temptation. Glorification: He shares His human glory with the redeemed children of God (v10). Christ performed these redemptive acts as our substitute and champion. He became like us to become our Savior.
[1] “Perfected” in v10 shows how suffering qualified Christ to become our sympathetic high priest (v17; 4:15).
[2] Jesus often described the elect in terms of the Father’s gift to Him: John 6:37-39; 10:29; 17:2, 6, 9, 24; 18:9.
[3] “Everyone” is not universally all but all whom Christ definitely redeemed. These are described as a definite people who are saved: they are brought to glory (v10), “sanctified” (v11), “My brethren” (v12), “whom God has given Me” (v13), “offspring of Abraham” (v16), and “the people” for whom propitiation was made (v17).