Reading and reflecting on some verses in the book of Hebrews regarding the suffering of Jesus...
All passages are from the New International Version (NIV). Italics are mine.
Hebrews 2:10 "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering."
Hebrews 2:17, 18 "...he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."
Years ago, when I first read these verses, I remember being astonished that Jesus had to be made perfect through suffering. I thought Jesus was already and always perfect... past, present, and future. And yet these verses appear to teach that, during his time on earth in the flesh, even Jesus was (dare I say...??) incomplete or not yet perfect.
And how was that accomplished? Through suffering.
Suffering. Certainly seems plentiful lately.
I have lots of questions about suffering and not too many answers. But the first one I am compelled to ask is this. What is it about suffering that is necessary for perfection? Jesus was made perfect through suffering. What about us? Are we made perfect through suffering? Stated another way, can suffering help to develop in us a more mature faith?
How are we affected by suffering? Seems to me it is physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. A truly holistic ordeal.
What follows here are simply my ponderings on this topic. Just the things that popped into my head as I thought about it. As you read, what questions (or answers) come up for you?
Here we go...
If there was no sickness or suffering among mankind, how would we develop mercy or compassion? Would compassion and empathy even be necessary if there was no suffering? What kind of people would we then be?
It is good to know our weakness and vulnerabilities, isn't it? Since we are mortal beings, it's good for us to be aware of our mortality. And it is good for us to not take pleasant times and good health for granted.
How are we when we are not suffering? When there's no struggle?
When are we most aware of our needs (that is, our truest needs)?
How do we become aware of our need for God? Our need to seek God? Our need to lean on God?
How do we realize when we have reached the end of man's ability to help us and our ability to help ourselves?
Seems a necessary factor to keep in mind when pondering these questions is that we are pondering the suffering of man (humanity). Therefore, we must understand some things about the nature of man.
Do we want God to take away all suffering? Or just certain kinds of suffering? Or just certain people's suffering?
If God removed all diseases of the body, wouldn't there still be all the suffering we inflict on one another by our greed, our anger, our lust, our hatred and selfishness and envy (et cetera)??
How much of the suffering in the world is caused by these? Do we ask God to take these causes of suffering away? do we ask God to take these away from others? Do we ask God to take them away from ourselves (greed, anger, hatred, selfishness, etc)? Do these not cause suffering? And yet, we hold on to them.
What is our part in all of it? How much suffering are we willing to take responsibility for?
