Back in Hebrews 2 today, we see more about the suffering of Jesus and how that plays to our advantage. More in a moment. In the Gospel reading from Mark 1, we see Jesus healing. He heals Simon’s mother-in-law, then many others who were sick or possessed by demons. He heals them all, then moves on the next day to preach to and heal others.
Once again today, we see the writer of Hebrews letting us know about Jesus’ two natures – fully human, and fully divine. “Therefore, he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest…Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”
Too often we tend to “sanitize” Jesus. Or perhaps we look at Him as some sort of comic book superhero, as though He were bulletproof. The writer of Hebrews will have none of that. Jesus suffered. He was betrayed by His best friends. He was spat upon. When He was whipped and cut, He bled. He suffered pain that you and I will hopefully never know. Why? So that He could relate to us. So that when we come to Him asking for assistance, He can say, in all truth, “I feel your pain. Been there, done that.” Believe me, He knows where you’re coming from.
Father, may we come to Jesus in all of our sufferings, knowing that He has suffered much worse. We take great comfort in His knowing just where we are. Amen.
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