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.

The author of the letter to the Hebrews is unknown.  The audience is also unknown but they are probably Christian Jews from a particular community.  The writer of Hebrews knew them and their history — he writes that he expects to visit them and asks for their prayers.   The author of Hebrews makes heavy use of the Old Testament to make his Christological point  and to argue against the permanance of the Levitical system of the high priest.  He carefully builds his case, using a Book that his readers are familiar with, to show that all of the Old Testament points to the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ.

The primary purpose of Hebrews is to urge these Christian Jews to hold fast to their Christian belief.  The first verse of this letter “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.”  Hebrews exalts the person and work of Jesus Christ.  his incarnation, suffering, substitutionary death and resurrection from the dead make Him the ultimate and forever High Priest who can lead his people into eternal glory.

The point of Hebrews is that Jesus Christ has entered the world and the faithful will share in his eternal rule.  In our verses today we read that those made holy by Christ’s death have become of the same family – His brothers and also His children.  Fallen man was held as servants of the devil.  Since we were human, Christ had to become human and to die for man as the perfect and final sacrifice.  The devil had wielded the power of death – or fear of death – and now, people were no longer subject to eternal death.  Man could face it with the same confidence in God that Christ had done.

Hebrews also tells its readers that whatever needs or trials they might face, Christ is adequate for them.  Christ can do this because He was made like his brothers in every way.  Christ’s role as High Priest who can lead them into eternal glory, was made perfect by His perfect sacrifice.