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Jesus’ motive and purpose: Why would Jesus choose to become human and suffer death—Jesus’ motive and purpose?

• He needed to become human to experience death. (14a)
• He needed to take authority over death from Satan himself. (14c)
• He wanted to free us from the fear of death. (15)

- Due to sin, we are enslaved to the fear of death.
- Our lives are spent trying to avoid death.
- Left to ourselves, we are helpless with avoiding death and the eternal consequences of our sin. That is a lot to fear!

•  He wants to help us! (16)

Jesus’ strategy: How was Jesus able to accomplish take authority over and remove fear of death?

• Became fully human. (17a)

- Knowing and experiencing human challenges.
- By becoming human without sin, his death was superior to all other death. (14b) 

• He made complete and final atonement for sin. (17c)

- To pardon or forgive, but most importantly by the means of his own death.
- Hence, the full “mechanism” of the work needed.

a. [hilaskomai] Using terms like “forgive”, “pardon”, or “propitiation” are limited in fully conveying the entire mechanism of Jesus work that the term “atone” communicates. Moo
b. He atoned for their sins which means he did something about it to make it possible to forgive.
c. Without atonement accomplished by Jesus (a perfect Adam dying) we have no other path.

Our Benefit: Why was it so important Jesus become human?

• He became our merciful and faithful High Priest. (17b)

- The High Priest was to be set apart for representing the people of God as divinely appointed intercessor, divinely appointed intermediary, and divinely appointed defender of God’s Law. Leviticus 10:6-9; 21:10-15. 
- If the High Priest sinned it became guilt for all of God’s people. Leviticus 4:3

• Merciful high priest.

- From His humanity Jesus is able to deal with us gently and with mercy because He himself saved us from death by his own death—an act of mercy!
- Not receiving just punishment for our sin by actually paying our debt gives us hope.
- What priest could ever do this?

• Faithful high priest.

- All former high priests failed in some form to be holy and set apart.
- Incredible to think that we have a high priest who is faithful—always!

• He is the perfect helper in defeating temptation.

- He perfectly modeled how to defeat temptation.

a. Properly using scripture in a context.
b. Acknowledging the tugging of the will.
c. Yielding of will to God.
d. Obedience always.

- As our high priest Jesus serves as our counselor, intercessor, advocate and our inspiration in defeating temptation.

Jesus’ mission is to take away your fear of death and to help you live victoriously. 

Walking confidently without fear because of Jesus.

1. You must be born again to lose the fear of death.
2. Walk with Jesus as your priest.
3. When temptation comes quote scripture, pray honestly, obey courageously.