Jesus Made Perfect Through Suffering

Topic: Death
Passage: Hebrews 2:10–18

July 30, 2020

Commentary

Jesus did not come into this world to gain status or political power, but to suffer and die so that we could have eternal life. Through the Lord’s suffering God made Him fit to bring man unto salvation (v. 10). Because we have the same Father, Jesus is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters (v. 11). Because God’s children are human beings made of flesh and blood, Jesus also became flesh and blood by being born in human form (v 14). The concept of a suffering Messiah was a stumbling block to the Jews.

These verses tackle the problem by declaring the necessity of the cross in God’s plan of salvation:

  1. It proved Christ’s absolute identity with humanity (vv. 11-13). We can see how Jesus Christ was not ashamed to identify Himself with sinners, but was willing to die for them.
  2. It destroyed the power and fear of death (vv. 14-15). The thing that terrifies people more than anything else in this life is death. When we receive Christ, we have been released from the bondage of death and can now actually enter into the presence of our Lord.
  3. It provided an intercessory High Priest (vv. 16-18). The Christian Jews of that day needed to hear that Christ had suffered as they were suffering.

Because He has gone through temptation, He is able to help us when we are tempted (v. 18).

Application

I should never have fear about death. It is very comforting to know that Jesus conquered death. Death will actually be a graduation time from this life.

Hebrews 2:10– 18 (NET)

10 For it was fitting for him, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For indeed he who makes holy and those being made holy all have the same origin, and so he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, 12 saying, “I will proclaim your name to my brothers; in the midst of the assembly I will praise you.” 13 Again he says, “I will be confident in him,” and again, “Here I am, with the children God has given me.” 14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, he likewise shared in their humanity, so that through death he could destroy the one who holds the power of death (that is, the devil), 15 and set free those who were held in slavery all their lives by their fear of death. 16 For surely his concern is not for angels, but he is concerned for Abraham’s descendants. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he could become a merciful and faithful high priest in things relating to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 For since he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.