Our Captain

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Hebrews 2:9

Jesus, by the grace of God, tasted death for everybody. He tasted sorrow, suffering, pain and agony. He wept and groaned. His complete humanity and complete divinity made him a complete high priest for us. Suffering completed him for us.

I wonder if we’re not supposed to willingly submit to the same course. All who will live godly will suffer, the Bible teaches. We read of the fellowship of suffering. But I wonder if we forget that our suffering is not just to sanctify us, but also to sanctify others. I’m still chewing on the best way to express it, but it would seem that when we submit to sanctification by suffering, we are submitting to a “fire” that glorifies God, transforms us, and helps others. Our emphasis is often of the work of God in us and the transformation in us but what about the sanctifying work of God in others through his work in us?

The submitting to suffering for the help of others is probably unintentionally forgotten, but to be reminded of it encourages us to press on! The Captain of our salvation submitted to suffering for us, we ought also do the same for others. That is love perfected.

C.R.