Love God Greatly: Jesus Our EverythingSample

In these verses the author of Hebrews explained why Jesus needed to die; it was so He could be made perfect through suffering. However, the word for “perfect” here means “to complete” or “to bring about an end goal.” 

Jesus did not need to be sanctified (made more like God) the same way we are sanctified. He is God and, therefore, does not need to be made perfect; He already is. What was made perfect through suffering was the work of Christ. Through His suffering, the work of salvation was completed. Because Christ suffered, the work of saving us from sin and death is complete.

The purpose of Christ’s suffering was to bring us to salvation. In order to die for us, Jesus had to suffer with us. He had to be made human in order to suffer the same way we suffer. To help us, to be our advocate, He humbled Himself and became human. In order to help us, He was made like us. In becoming human, Jesus became our advocate. He stands in the gap for us. He is our mediator, bringing our requests before God. He is our help, offering us salvation because of what He suffered.

Lord Jesus, I believe You alone are the way to salvation. Your work is complete: there is nothing I can do to earn salvation. You have done it all. I praise You for humbling Yourself for my sake. Help me honor You in all I do and believe Your suffering is enough to cover my sin. Amen.