Hebrews 2:16-18

Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?

Jesus' purpose on earth was not to release angels from slavery, but man (2:16). Lightfoot says, "The entire thought is that He laid hold of men in order to help them out of their distressed condition." Since Jesus' purpose was man's salvation, He had to become a perfect high priest. He also had to make a perfect sacrifice for the sins of His people (2:17).

He suffered all the trials and temptations a man can suffer. Or, at the very least, He suffered one of each kind. This was done so that He might be the perfect high priest. He had to suffer the same trials as man to understand man's problems. Lightfoot suggests the word "tempted" particularly refers to 2:9 "the suffering of death." Certainly that does show Christ understands how far persecution and trials can go. It should also be a source of courage for those of us about to give up because of suffering (2:18).