#DailyDevotion Jesus Was Made Complete Through His Suffering

Hebrews 4:14–16; 5:7–9

Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.  Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.  In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.  Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.  And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.

We indeed have a great high priest at the right hand of God, Jesus Christ, the Lord, the Son of God. Since he is there interceding for us we should hold fast to our confession, that is, let us never turn aside from confessing who he is, what he has done for us and trusting him and his teaching.

This Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. Hebrews earlier said, Heb 2:16-18 “For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.  (17)  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.  (18)  For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” He is made like us. Jesus besides being perfect God is also perfect Man. He knows what it is like to feel the tug of sin when tempted. Not only that here in this chapter it is written, he “who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” While we are only told of the three temptations in the Gospels, the Gospels also said he was tempted during the forty days. They also said the devil left him until an opportune time. Jesus went through these temptations and many more feeling what it is like in our flesh to be tempted. Yet he did not give into the temptation so he may pay the penalty for us who take temptations bait. We can find a sympathetic friend at the right hand of God when we are tempted and when we fall into sin.

As such we can with confidence draw near to the Father, the throne of grace to receive mercy and grace in our time of need. Jesus himself intercedes for us at the right hand of God and our prayers go through his mouth into the ears of God. The Father hears Jesus’ prayer which are our prayers and answers with yes. We do not approach God in our sins but with the blood and righteousness of Jesus.

Jesus was perfected or rather completed by his suffering and death. He said upon the cross, “It is finished.” His work had been perfected and completed. He is not the source of our salvation, indeed the source of salvation for all creation. Perfect here is the same Greek word there in John’s Gospel in Jesus’ last words on the cross. In the completion of his suffering and death we are able to harken, to listen and to obey Jesus, that is to trust in his work of salvation on the cross. He is our source, the author and cause of our salvation.

Gracious and Merciful Father, you completed the work of our salvation in the suffering and death of your Son Jesus Christ. So grant unto us through this the courage to approach your throne so we may receive mercy and grace in every time of need. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.