Lenten Devotion – Made Perfect Through What He Suffered
Day 13, 28 February 2024
“In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what He suffered.” Hebrews 2:10
In this verse, ‘made perfect though suffering’ appears to be a juxtaposition that highlights the redemptive nature of suffering. It suggests that through the challenges and struggles, there is a process of being made perfect, perhaps in the sense of being redeemed or restored. The suffering Jesus had to endure was not an endpoint but a pathway to refined and perfected state.
What Jesus endured for us challenges us to rethink our understanding of perfection, viewing it not as an absence of difficulty but as a state achieved through navigating the challenges inherent in the human experience.
Experiencing suffering can cultivate empathy and compassion towards others who are going through similar difficulties. When we undergo challenges, we become more attuned to the pain and struggles of those around us. This heightened sensitivity can inspire acts of kindness, support, and understanding. By connecting with the shared experience of suffering, may we find a sense of purpose in helping others navigate their own challenges.
I pray that as we do, we share Christ’s love through our words and deeds. In this way, the transformative power of suffering extends beyond personal growth to fostering an attitude of gratitude to our Saviour and a greater capacity for empathy and a commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Can you recall a time when you walked down a ‘dark alley’ in your life? I remember being misunderstood and how much that hurt me, especially when it was someone who you care deeply about. It was so tempting to retaliate and make that person feel hurt too. But I am reminded not to repay ‘evil with evil, but bless… that you may obtain a blessing…’ (1Peter 3:9).
Even as we have received grace through Jesus, may we extend grace to others that God puts in our paths and pray that the Holy Spirit transforms us and touch others through us, to the glory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ!
Angela Lim