Each Thursday we will take a few minutes to examine three thoughts (or bullets) from the book of Hebrews. We encourage you to read the text, and consider the bullet points. Then join us in a simple prayer.
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. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying,
“I will tell of your name to my brothers;
in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”
And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”
And again,
“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
- Hebrews 2:10-18
Understanding the context of Jesus Suffering as “Suffering to death” (2:10)
Here is verse 10 we can get into trouble if we fail to read the author's argument in context. He writes, “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.”
We are often guilty of reading the word “suffering” here and inserting our own plights, frustrations, annoyances and pains. While these things are, indeed, understood by God, that is not the connotation that the author of Hebrews is striking at. Instead, he is referring specifically to the suffering of death.
To support the reading of suffering as specifically “suffering of death” we look to the immediate context of Hebrews. One verse before this, in Hebrews 2:9 the author writes, “But we see him... Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death…” Later, in Hebrews 2:14-15 he says, “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death,” and, “deliver all of those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”
This understanding of the “suffering of death” is further supported in Hebrews 5:7-10, 9:26-28 and 12:1-3.
It was not by coming to earth and suffering pain, frustration or temptation that Jesus completed his task and provided a way to bring many sons to glory. It was by suffering to death that he ultimately conquered death and became our trailblazer (or author) of salvation. “Thus, through the death of Jesus God’s people join with the Son, moving from earth to heaven.”[1]
“The author has a specific suffering in mind—that of the Son’s death on the cross. He later draws an overt connection between Christ’s suffering and that of the Christian community (e.g., 12:1–3), but the primary point in 2:10–18 is that the Son has worked great accomplishments on behalf of God’s people through his death.”
Jesus’ Perfection as wholeness or completeness of salvation
The perfection being spoken of does not imply that prior to “suffering” the Son was imperfect, or lacking of any good thing. Instead we should think of this word as conotating completeness, wholeness, or full adequacy to the task of providing salvation. As Guthrie writes, “In Jewish literature the idea of perfection is applied at times to death as the completion or seal of life. Perfection in Hebrews has to do with fully completing a course, making it to the end of God’s plan. That Jesus was made “perfect through suffering,” therefore, connotes his full obedience to his mission of death on the cross and, perhaps, the adequacy of that act for bringing the children of God to glory.
Furthermore, the concept of perfection speaks of the completion of the Son’s mission through his death.
But, as Guthrie correctly asserts, “We must point out that Hebrews does not say we have been delivered from death itself, but from slavery to the fear of death—a fear that might encompass both the process of dying and the state of being dead.” For a group of persecuted believers in the first century this is a very important distinction. The author is attempting to rouse them from a state of fear and lethargy, to hold fast in the face of extreme persecution - even to death. His promise is clear, that through the Son’s accomplishments we no longer need to fear that death!
The Son’s Solidarity with the “sons”
In Hebrews 2:12-13 the author quotes Psalm 22:22 and Isaiah 8:17b-18 to support Christ’s solidarity with believers.
Both of these passages were understood to be messianic and pointed to the Messiah’s suffering as well as how he would relate to the people of God.
The author of Hebrews uses these passages for at least three specific ends.
With their emphasis on the Messiah’s “brothers” and believers’ designation as “children,” these texts support the close family relationship established between the Son and the people of God.
Both passages refer to the Son’s living with God’s people.
In their broader contexts both speak to the Son’s suffering as well as his posture of trust toward the Father. Consequently, they are appropriate for the author’s purposes, especially when understood against a fertile backdrop of early Christian messianic interpretation.
Thus, even though the Son has been shown to be exalted at the right hand of the Majesty on High (Heb 1:3), and is clearly depicted as having a position greater than the angels (1:4, 14); He chose to come to earth and place himself a little lower than the angels, to “be made like his brothers in every respect,” (2:17) in order that he might suffer to the point of death and provide a way of salvation.
PRAYER
Dear Lord,
I am speechless before you. For I cannot comprehend the sacrifice you made when you humbled yourself and suffered to the point of death on a cross.
Your sacrifice has made a way for me, a sinner and even though I know this to be true, I confess that I still sometimes fear death.
Help me to surrender my earthly hopes that I may find eternal hope.
Help me to submit to your lordship and relinquish any notion of control that I have to you.
From within this submission, Father, I know you will show me true life and freedom.
Amen
[1] Guthrie, George H.. Hebrews (The NIV Application Commentary Book 15) (p. 108). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.