"Doing Things the Hard Way"
Oct. 3, 2018
For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the Founder of their salvation perfect through suffering.
~ Hebrews 2:10 (ESV)
Was there no easier way?
It seems God could have accomplished His purposes -- our salvation -- in a way that didn't cost the life of His Son. I mean what's all the fuss about, anyway? Why not just overlook our transgressions or condemn only the really heinous sinners? Better yet, why not mix in a little works-righteousness with our faith to keep us on our toes and striving harder -- you know -- give us something to shoot for?
Why pay for all our sins with the life of the sinless, suffering Son of God? There had to be an easier way.
If only.
Hebrews 2 talks a lot about Jesus and other things that pertain to you and me. It tells us to pay close attention to our faith, lest we fall away (verse 1); it talks about the just retribution our sin deserves (verse 2); it lets us know there's no escaping God's justice if we abandon our faith (verse 3). And a few verses later we find today's text: "For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the Founder of their salvation perfect through suffering."
Perfect through suffering? Was this the only way?
Verse commentary from the Concordia Bible with Notes puts it this way: "He is God, Lord of history and creation (for whom and by whom all things exist). It was fitting, in harmony with His revealed nature as a holy and righteous God, that He should bring men to glory and salvation, not by overlooking their sin but by dealing with it. He dealt with man's sin by giving His Son as the pioneer ("Founder") of man's salvation, who opens the way and leads the way to salvation. The Son becomes the perfect pioneer by suffering for man's sin (and dying for man's sin.)"
This is Jesus who, for a little while, walked alongside us in plain sight, experiencing all the things we do in the flesh -- except that which separates us from God: our sin, our corruption, our eternal predicament.
This we could not deal with.
But God did -- "by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross" (Colossians 2:14).
How corrupt our sin must be for God to take this ultimate measure to save us.
There was no easier way.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, our sins required a price be paid if we were to live eternally with You. Jesus paid that price for us. Let us forevermore lift up His Name in praise and thankfulness for what He has done. In His Name we pray. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by a contributing writer from Lutheran Hour Ministries. Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Was there no easier way?
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