Why Did Jesus Come to Earth?—Part 4
When God Entered Our World and Why It Matters.
“For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Heb. 2:16–18)
Think about a time when sorrow caught you off guard—a loss, a disappointment, a season when life simply hurt. You probably knew, in theory, that others had suffered too. But what you needed most wasn’t statistics or sympathy—it was someone who truly understood. Comfort comes not from knowing suffering is common, but from knowing someone who has walked through it with you.
That is exactly why Jesus came. Hebrews 2 tells us that the Son of God entered our world not only to destroy the devil and deliver us from fear, but also to be a sympathetic and empathetic priest for sinners.
His Ability to Help Us
Jesus didn’t come to help angels or distant spirits; he came to help the “offspring of Abraham”—real people like us. The verse says he “had to be made like his brothers in every respect.” That means he took on a true human body and a true human soul.
He became like us so that he could truly help us. He isn’t a distant deity, untouched by weakness or grief. He knows what hunger feels like, what temptation sounds like, what tears taste like. And because he knows, he can help.
This is what Scripture means when it calls him a high priest. In the Old Testament, a priest stood between God and the people—offering sacrifices and interceding for sinners. Jesus became our great High Priest by offering not an animal, but himself. Through his sacrifice, he made propitiation—a word that means he turned away God’s wrath by satisfying justice with his own life. The holy Son bore the punishment we deserved so that we could be reconciled to God.
Because of this, he is merciful toward us—he feels compassion for our weakness—and faithful toward God—he never fails to carry out the work of salvation he began.
His Empathy in Helping Us
Verse 18 says, “Because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”
Jesus didn’t simply watch our trials from a distance; he entered them. He faced real temptation—hunger in the wilderness, sorrow in Gethsemane, abandonment on the cross—and yet he never sinned. That’s why he can meet us in our struggles without condemning us.
When you face temptation or pain, Jesus doesn’t fold his arms and say, “Get it together.” He draws near as one who knows the struggle from the inside. He puts his arm around you and says, “I know. I’ve been there. Let me carry you.”
This is why Christians can approach him with confidence. The same Savior who died for your sins now lives to intercede for you. Hebrews 7:25 says he “always lives to make intercession” for those who belong to him. His mercy is not temporary or hesitant—it is constant and ready.
His Availability to Help Us
Because Jesus is alive, he is available to help you right now. You don’t have to earn his attention or wait in line for his compassion.
He speaks to us through his Word—the living voice of God that brings life and direction.
He listens to us in prayer—bending his ear to every cry of the humble.
And he works through his people—the church, his body on earth—to extend his love and comfort in tangible ways.
The psalmist says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Ps. 34:18). That nearness is embodied perfectly in Jesus. The eternal Son became near—near enough to touch lepers, to wash feet, to hang on a cross for us.
And he is perpetually available to “help”—a word used to speak of people in great distress crying out for immediate help. Here it’s Jesus who comes running to our help. “For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly” (Ps. 138:6).
An Invitation for Advent
Maybe this Advent finds you weary or weighed down by temptation, failure, or sorrow. The good news is that the God who entered our world in Jesus knows exactly what that feels like—and he’s ready to help.
You don’t have to hide your weakness or pretend your faith is strong. Come to the Savior who is merciful and faithful, who has suffered and who understands.
He isn’t waiting for you to climb up to him. He’s already come down to you.
So, as you move through this season, remember:
The hands that formed the stars once reached out to lift a fallen world—and they can lift you too.
That’s why Jesus came to earth.
That’s why Christmas still gives hope to weary hearts.
We invite you to respond by getting in touch with us so we can talk to you about Jesus & help you plan to join us this Sunday: Get in Touch