Slideshow image

Bible Readings: Hebrews 2:5-11; Psalm 8:1-9

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?  Psalm 8:1-4

10 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. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.  Hebrews 2:10-11

 

No one likes to suffer.  No matter how you define that word.  And for the most part, people feel quite unique in their suffering – that no one else can understand what they are going through.  I think we all have probably felt that way at one time or another.   

And yet when we consider Christ, we remember how he experienced hunger, loneliness, loss, betrayal, and the fear of death, just as we all do.  We remember that Christ has entered our suffering and therefore we can know that we are not alone.

“…what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”

Hebrews pictures Christ as a pioneer, as one who leads the way through a difficult landscape in order that others may follow. Jesus endures hardship for the sake of something far greater. 

Like the people God delivered from slavery in Egypt, we are on a journey through a wilderness. And Christ is leading us to the “promised land”.  God has a future for us and can give us the courage to persevere, knowing that our journey is not done but we are always moving towards that promised future.

Heavenly Father, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  Thank you for thinking about me and never withholding your love from me.  Help me to keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith.  May your love increase within me and your strength always sustain me.  May I follow Jesus to victory!  Amen.