Verse: Hebrews 2:10-13 (ESV)
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers,
12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
Devotion
Everywhere you turn these days, it seems that people you care about are suffering. Physical and mental illness, joblessness, marital issues, school struggles, the grief of loss. These are just a few of the things that can negatively affect our physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.
And while Scripture makes it abundantly clear that Christians will never be immune to suffering, this passage in Hebrews reminds us of one of the great joys and hopes that Scripture holds for us…that we will never be alone in our suffering! The writer tells us that Jesus (the founder of our salvation) was made “perfect through suffering”. Let’s not misunderstand what is being said here. Jesus, being himself equal to God the Father, was never less than perfect. He was not somehow improved by suffering. His wisdom, his holiness, his love for us, all of the attributes that make him God, those were already perfect.
What his suffering accomplished, which could not have been accomplished any other way, was to make him the perfect sacrifice for us! He experienced life in human flesh, as we do. He hungered, thirsted, felt physical and emotional pain, grieved. He became like us so that we might become like him! We “all have one source”, that is our father, God. We are brothers and sisters, joint heirs with Christ, of the salvation and eternal life offered by God.
So, while Jesus doesn’t promise to take away our suffering when we follow him, we can be assured that when we suffer, we are following in his footsteps, and he knows and understands and sympathizes with our struggles. And because of that, we can trust the old hymn that says, “It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus!”.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son, our brother, Jesus Christ, to live among us, to feel what we feel, and to become the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Give us strength to endure our own suffering, and compassion for that of others, as we await the day when all will be made new in Christ. Amen.
Author: Dave MacDonald
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