IT should be particularly noted that in the first and second chapters of Hebrews the thought and discussion concerning the person of Christ is especially as to nature and substance. In Philippians 2:5-8, there is presented the thought of Christ's relationship to God and to man, especially as to nature and form. Thus: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but emptied Himself, and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Philippians 2:5-8, and R.V.
When Jesus emptied Himself He became man; and God was revealed in the Man. When Jesus emptied Himself, on the one side man appeared, and on the other side God appeared. Thus, in Him God and man meet in peace, and become one: "for He is our peace, who hath made both [God and man] one, . . . having abolished in His flesh the enmity, . . . to make in Himself of twain [God and man] one new man, so making peace." Ephesians 2:14, 15
He who was in the form of God took the form of man.
He who was equal with God became equal with man.
He who was Creator and Lord became creature and servant.
He who was in the likeness of God, was made in the likeness of men.
He who was God, and Spirit, was made man, and flesh. John 1:1, 14
Nor is this true only as to form: it is true as to substance. For Christ was like God in the sense of being of the nature, in very substance, of God. He was made in the likeness of men, in the sense of being like men, in the nature and very substance of men.
Christ was God. He became man. And when He became man, He was man as really as He was God. He became man in order that He might redeem man.
He came to man where man is, to bring man to Him where He was and is.
And in order to redeem man from what man is, He was made what man is:
Man is flesh. Genesis 6:3; John 3:6. "And the Word was made flesh." John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14
Man is under the law. Romans 3:19. Christ was "made under the law." Galatians 4:4
Man is under the curse. Galatians 3:10; Zechariah 5:1-4, "Christ was made a curse." Galatians 3:13.
Man is sold under sin (Romans 7:14), and laden with iniquity. Isaiah 1:4. And "the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all." Isaiah 53:6
Man is "a body of sin." Romans 6:6. And God "hath made Him to be sin." 2 Corinthians 5:21
Thus, literally, "in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren."
Yet it must never be forgotten, it must be borne in mind and heart constantly and forever, that in none of this as to man, the flesh, sin, and the curse was Christ ever of Himself or of His own original nature or fault.