Band of Brothers (and Sisters)

Hebrews 2:10-13

Jesus is bringing many sons and daughters to glory. The previous verses make it clear that it is through his death that they are brought into glory (he tasted death for everyone). The author makes it clear that Jesus is the pioneer of our faith - an image that he will return to again at least once (Hebrews 12). The idea of perfecting is also a common theme in Hebrews (again mentioned in Hebrews 12, as well as other places). Here, the author uses a troubling phrase that seems to indicate that Jesus was made perfect through his suffering.
The rest of Scripture and the historical theology of the Church makes it clear that Jesus was always perfect. He never sinned. He was eternally fully God. So what does the author mean that he was made "perfect through what he suffered." I think that we need to remember that Jesus was also fully human and this means that he matured like every human does. Also, Jesus had to live his life in obedience to God so that he could be the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The perfection of Jesus is seen most clearly in the cross. He died as the perfect sacrifice so the sense of this phrase is likely that his suffering affirmed his perfection. In other words, he was made perfect to us in his suffering.
The phrase that stirs the most awe in me is verse 11. Sometimes I see myself as a second class son or daughter. By focusing on my unworthiness to be a part of the family, I negate the effects of God's grace as seen in Jesus Christ. I am a full member of the family - as much as the one who made me holy is a member - and Jesus is not ashamed to call me his brother. There are two applications for me: 1) I need to stop beating myself up. Yes, I will continue to deal harshly with sin in my life and strive for holiness with the help of the Spirit but I am still a full member of the family of God. In my false humility of seeing myself as not a full member of the family I insult God by saying his grace is not enough and I teach my son that an adopted family member is not really a full part of the family. 2) I must not see others as third or fourth class members of the family. That makes me too much like the older brother in the tale of the prodigal son. I know that I am guilty of looking down on others for the sinfulness as if God's grace might just barely be enough for me but they will certainly have to earn their way back into God's favour. This is really saying that I have earned (or have a plan to earn) God's favour and a position in the family. Again, this insults God's character and dishonour those he has created in his image and redeemed by the blood of his Son. I must stop this! If Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, then why am I?