Consider Jesus - Hebrews 3:1

Hebrews is an interesting book, albeit challenging for me. The author is unknown and his writing style, though inspired is difficult to break down into sections. (for me) However the more I mediate on it, as promised, the Holy Spirit, my teacher and the author's inspiration, gives clarity. Here's what I learned today. . .

Hebrews 2:10
For it was fitting for Him (God), from whom all things, and through whom are all things, (in order) to bring many sons to glory (salvation), to perfect the author of their salvation (Christ) through suffering.

I needed to understand the word "perfect" in this passage. The Greek word is "Teleioo" and it means "to consecrate him by suffering to his office."

So God allowed even prescribed that Christ suffer in order to consecrate Him, to set him apart for His office or His position, for the purpose of what? Let's see . . .

Hebrews 2:15 says - that He might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.
To free us from fear of death that had us enslaved, in bondage.What am I in bondage to? I had to think about this. Am I afraid of death? I would be if I had not turned to Christ as my hope of Salvation. But I think there might be more to this fear and death. I think perhaps the root of all my fear is the death of something. My fear of failure is the fear of the death of my value as a person. Fear of intimacy is fear of exposure to the real person, so death of a facade. Run some examples honestly about what you are afraid of, what keeps you in bondage. See if this holds true. At the root of all fear is death of something.
So Christ suffered to free us from the fear of death that has us in bondage.

Secondly Christ suffered to be able to intercede for us to the Father.
Hebrews 2:17 says He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so the He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
High Priest were a chosen few, but were like the people they served, they interceded for, brought the sacrifice for them but they were LIKE them. Christ is our high priest and suffered so He could intercede. The OT high priest brought the sacrifice, Christ our high priest not only brings the sacrifice, He was the final sacrifice. It was His blood shed, His body broken that paid the price for all our sin, past present and future. So Christ, our advocate with the Father points God's eyes toward Christ sacrifice instead of our sin.

Finally Christ suffered so He can come to our aid when we are tempted.
Hebrews 2:18 says For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
I have a hard time listening to someone who just doesn't get it, who has never experienced my pain. Pastor Scott S. say it last night. It's like someone saying to an addict, "just quit." That person has never experienced that pain. Christ was tempted and did not yield. I know the debate, He was God and He couldn't sin. But He could have chosen to not go to the cross. In the garden before His suffering, He prayed for God to pick plan "B". But it was His obedience to this "perfecting" playing His role as savior, lamb of God, intercessor and friend of sinners, that nailed Him to the cross. Amazing love for not only us but for His Father.

So the picture looks like this to me. Jesus speaking to God the Father on my behalf when I'm faced with temptation and I choose my own way not His. "Father, I already paid for that sin. She's one with us. Look at me, my blood; see her through me" Then in that same moment of temptation, Jesus speaking to me through the Holy Spirit say " Wait, yes I see that temptation, but you have a choice. Look for the choice! Choose me, there's the escape I promised, walk that way." If there is ever "sweat" on the brow of God, I believe it's in that moment where all the power of heaven is focused on us when faced with temptation. Will they choose me or their own way? When we choose His way there is heavenly rejoicing. God's way brings freedom from the fear of death. My way brings more fear and more fear and fear upon fear.

Hebrews 3:1 Therefore, . . . consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession;!