(14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
I beg the Reader's attention to this scripture, with that earnestness its great importance demands; for it is most blessed. First: let it be well noticed, the reason here assigned, for the Son of God taking upon him the nature of man; namely, because the children whom the Father had given him, were partakers of flesh and blood. To be sure, Jesus would take part of the same; for how else could he be married to his Church? Had he taken any other nature but the nature of man; what union could there have been between them? And I beg the Reader to notice also, how decided a proof those expressions of Christ's children being partakers of flesh and blood, on whose account he took the same, is hereby given, both of Christ's pre-existence as Head, and Husband of his Church, set up from everlasting; and his own eternal power and Godhead, in that it is said, he himself likewise took part of the same. This action of Christ, and this cause, in the Son of God taking flesh and blood, are unanswerable evidences in proof of his Godhead. And the Reader may do well, in the present sinful, Christ-despising generation, to remark them as he goes. See Luke 1:38 and Commentary.
Secondly. Let it be observed also, another motive here spoken of, for which the Son of God took part of the same flesh and blood as his children; namely, that through death he might destroy him which had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them, who through fear of death, are all their life-time subject to bondage. What a glorious account is here? But how came the devil to have the power of death? And by what means were the children of God, his captives, to be in such bondage? The scriptures give most satisfactory answers to these questions: and which serve, at the same time, to prove the liberty, whereby the Lord Jesus hath made his children free; and to enhance the preciousness of the Lord Jesus himself for his grace.
The Devil, by seducing our nature, in the Adam-fall transgression, not only brought in death; but universal captivity. Sin entered into the world, and death by sin: and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned, Romans 5:12. And hence, the devil may be truly said, in this sense to have the power of death: yea, and lawfully too. For, so the scripture confirms it. For of whom a man is overcome: of the same is he brought into bondage, 2 Peter 2:19. And hence, though Christ by his death, hath overcome death; and destroyed him that had the power of death; yet we find many of God's dear children are still subject to bondage, in the fear of death; yea, many of them also, who are convinced of their redemption by Christ, and their interest in Christ. This fruit of Adam's sin, they taste in bondage fears; though they triumph in Christ, by his great deliverance from the curse of it. Reader! pause over the subject. What hath thy God, thy Savior, by Jesus wrought! Oh! see to it, if thou knowest the blessedness of this sweet scripture, and believeth the record that God hath given of his dear Son; that no unsuitable, unbecoming fears of death arise in the mind, when Christ hath taken flesh and blood, on purpose to destroy both him that had the power of death, and death itself; and which he hath most effectually done; and to deliver his redeemed, from being all their life time, through fear of a shadow, subject to bondage, Psalms 23:4
One word more on this precious scripture. There can be no doubt, but that as by sin we were all lawful captives to Satan; it must be a lawful act alone, that can make us free from that captivity. This the Son of God accomplished, by destroying Satan, and delivering his people. And so God the Father engaged for, in Covenant promises. Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the lawful (mark the word lawful) captive delivered? But thus saith the Lord: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible delivered; for I will contend with him, that contendeth with thee; and I will save thy children, Isaiah 49:24-25. Oh! what a scripture is here! How full in point! How unanswerable in Covenant promises! Oh! the love of God our Father to our glorious Head, and to the Church in him!
Reader! again I say, do not turn away from the precious view, (for it is most precious), which ariseth out of this blessed scripture, of the Son of God taking flesh and blood for such gracious purposes, because his children were partakers of the same. Jesus hath, in our nature, conquered him which first conquered us. And Jesus hath conquered both death and him, that had the power of death, by his own death; and by his rising to life again, hath opened to us everlasting life. Yea Jesus hath done more. He hath conquered the devil in us, by regeneration; and hath taken the strong man armed which kept us in bondage, and spoiled his armor. And Jesus hath overcome the devil by us, in every act of grace, by which, through the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to mortify the deeds of the body; and when our Spirit lusteth against the flesh, Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:17. And that sweet promise carries us on, with sure victory: the God of peace will bruise Satan under our feet shortly, Romans 16:20. Precious God and Savior! adored be thy name for taking our nature upon thee! In due time thou wilt come to cast the devil, and all his hellish crew into the bottomless pit. And then thy Church shall see his fall, and rejoice over him forever, Revelation 20:1 throughout.