Sin demands a remedy far stronger than sympathy. Sin calls for God’s judgment, and by taking on all aspects of our humanity, except sin, Jesus became the perfect substitute. There was more going on than mere identification with us when Jesus became incarnate. Jesus was made like us to redeem us, “fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people” (Heb. 2:17).