October 18, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
CHRIST PERFECTED THROUGH SUFFERINGS TO BE MAN’S SAVIOR
“For it became Him, for whom are all things, in bringing many sons into glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering.” Heb. 2:10, KJV.
Perfect through Sufferings. “This does not mean that Christ was not previously perfect [sinless]. Christ was perfect as God. [God in the flesh, ‘Immanuel, being interpreted. God with us.’ Matt. 1:24], He was perfect as a man [the only sinless One].
“By His sufferings He became perfect as SAVIOR. The thought is that of reaching a prescribed goal, of finishing a race, of completing a task. Before Christ came to earth, the path He must tread was plain before Him; every step was clear. To reach the goal, He must go all the way.
“He could not stop short of His ultimate destination. He must persevere to the end. It is the FINISHING of this course that is involved in the text before us, NOT ANY MORAL SHORTCOMING.
“It is a man running a race, reaching the three quarters mark and running strong, showing no sign of weakness. But he has not finished. Not until the race is completed will he receive the crown. It is the last quarter that counts. When finally he finishes he has attained, and will receive the award [and reward].
“He has then PERFECTED His course.” (M.L. Andreasen, The Book of Hebrews, pp. 97, 98).
Apostle Paul followed the example Jesus set before all His true followers. Just before His grisly death by decapitation ordered by the cruel Roman emperor Nero, the apostle wrote these words designed to enlighten and guide the saints as they approach the terrible, yet necessary fiery ordeal of the final test of faith in the enforcement of the “mark of the beast” in ReV. 13 and 14.
Find time to read and meditate on Phil. 3: 7-17!! Only those who patiently “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (v 14) will receive “the crown that is eternal life” as the award and reward of those “who endure to [their individual] end.” May we all follow Christ our Savior, as Paul did! Bless all, NMF