¹⁰ In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God…should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered (Hebrews 2:10; read vv. 10-13).

Introduction

To be human is to suffer. We may not like that fact, but it is an empirically-verifiable fact. Suffering is, of course, a broad term. Often one’s environment into which one is born determines the type and degree of suffering one endures. Others, due to congenital conditions, suffer more physically than others. But, regardless of the relative peace or conflict in which we live, all bear the weight of the human condition.

In fact, physical death is a universal, human plight. It is no respecter of persons. Both the uber wealthy, and the under waged will not escape death (except for those who remain alive at the coming of Christ). With death, comes suffering. Period.

The fear of death was the weapon of the cruel taskmaster who held all humanity in his grip. Sin, which invited death into our world, is presented as a power that holds humanity in its unrelenting grip. And, there is nothing humans, by their own initiative, can do to liberate themselves from it.

Enter Jesus. Jesus, who is the very essence of God, became fully human, and infiltrated the concentration camp of sin. Perceived as “merely” human (and he was absolutely, fully human, but also fully God), he refused to obey the cruel tyrant. As fully human, he relied completely on God (“I will put my trust in him”, v. 13) and suffered the brutality of the tyrant.

As our Pioneer, or Leader, or Champion, he came into the depths of our suffering, embraced it, and by it was “perfected” for his redemptive function. Whenever we suffer, Jesus doesn’t simply say: “there, but for the grace of God, go I.” On the contrary, he says: “There, because of the grace of God, I am.”

Some Background

The Preacher’s emphasis on the humble state of Christ (he was made, for a little while, lower than the angels) is an essential ingredient in his sermon. By means of his suffering, Jesus was “perfected.” This does not mean that his suffering purged him of moral or spiritual impurity. It simply, but profoundly means, that his full humanity, along with its commensurate suffering, is what made him “fit” to perform his redemptive work on our behalf.

The only way for God, who is exalted above all, to redeem humanity was to become fully human. In this way, Jesus, the God-Man, participated in both the life of God and the life of humans. Jesus’ human suffering shaped and fashioned him to perform his role in the drama of redemption—this is the message of a great salvation!

Discussion Questions

at did you hear in this morning’s message that stood out to you? What was interesting, important, or confusing?

Why was it necessary for God to become human and suffer in order to save humans from the power of sin?

What is involved in Jesus’ being the “Pioneer” of our salvation?

How did Jesus suffering “perfect” him?

What are some practical implications that Jesus’ full-humanity and suffering have for our walk of faith?

Reflections

The Preacher acknowledged that the church he addressed had, and were, experiencing some form of suffering (Hebrews 2:4,7). Rather than a distant, disinterested deity God entered into their human struggle through the Son, Jesus. He was fully tempted and tested and remained completely loyal to God. In so doing, he experienced the full-range of human suffering…and beyond. The “great salvation” of which the Preacher spoke involved, not a stirring rhetorical speech of encouragement, but the actual historical reality of God’s fully invading our human plight. He still bears the scars of his human testing. As such he “is able to help those who are tested” (Hebrews 2:18). He understands our sorrow.