Crowned With Glory And Honour

Heb 2:9  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.  Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

As I sit and reflect on the sufferings of what my Savior went through for me, it is heart wrenching, overwhelming, and humbling.

His suffering was physical, emotional, mental, and of course, above all else, it was spiritual! The spiritual battle going on around the world that day was palatable!

Mat 27:45  Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.

Luk 23:44-45  And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.   And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 

According to the book of Hebrews, Jesus' suffering brought Him a "crown of glory and honour". When I read that I think of what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:9b Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

And...

Philippians 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 

And...

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It is this belief in His Cross and the Resurrection that gives us Hope!

David said in his last study notes, "Belief is the key that opens the door to hope."

Jesus took all that pain, and all the suffering and He Counted Joy!

James 1:2-4 says that we are to do the same when we suffer, as partakers of His sufferings.

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;    Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.    But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

When we are tried, when we suffer physically or emotionally, when we walk financial hardship, when friends forsake us, when God disrupts our lives and schedules with a global pandemic that impacts our lives in significant ways; we are to count it ALL joy!

It is through these trials and tribulations that we gain patience. I've heard it said often that we shouldn't pray for patience, because if we do God will put us through tribulation. As if God is looking for ways to hurt and cause us pain. What if we did pray for patience and then also pray for the mercy and grace to handle whatever the Lord has in mind to teach us this attribute?

You see, the end of patience' work leaves us perfect(complete; fully informed, completely skilled; complete in moral excellencies). Patience leaves us with a heart in tune with God's.

Patience Produces Perfection!

When we joy or glory in our times of testing/trial/ afflictions, God's wondrous and miraculous things happen lives!

Rom 5:3-5 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Tribulation >> Patience(unruffled temper, endurance without murmuring or fretfulness, perseverance, constancy)

Patience>> Experience( knowledge derived from trials) Seeing God's hand in our prior circumstances builds our faith and trust that He will see us through this one as well!

Experience>> Hope >> An expectation and assurance that God will give us our expected end and His will and desires will be accomplished in me!

HOPE MAKETH NOT ASHAMED!!!

When our prayer comes to fruition and we see God's Love and power displayed in us, we can't help but spread that Hope around to all that will listen!

Because of Jesus' finished work on the cross and His resurrection power, WE HAVE HOPE!