Why There Aren’t & Can’t Be Many Ways to God

If you have ever read the book of Hebrews, you came across the idea that Jesus was made perfect:

For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering….Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him…For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. (Hebrews 2:10; 5:8-9, 7:28, ESV).

Like many of us, you probably wondered: how can God the Son be made perfect? Isn’t he already perfect?

Made Perfect?

The Greek word/phrase translated as made perfect in the book of Hebrews means to bring to the end (goal) proposed or to bring to completion. It is not about Jesus’ nature or morality being perfected. It is about Jesus bringing to completion God’s redemption plan through his life, death and resurrection.

Let’s zoom out for a bit. The main theme of Hebrews is the Supremacy and Preeminence of Christ in all things; He is greater than any angel, prophet, high priest, or old covenant institution. The readers are thus exhorted to hold on to the Faith and to have full confidence in the Great Salvation we have in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-24). In saying that Jesus was made perfect, the author is making an argument for the supremacy and preeminence of Christ as High Priest and atoning sacrifice. How?

The Perfect High Priest and Atoning Sacrifice

Hebrews 2:10 and 5:9 explain that Jesus was made perfect (or brought salvation to completion) through the incarnation, setting him apart and above all other High priests (Hebrews 2:10;14;17-18; 5:7-8, ESV). Hebrews 7:28 shows that Jesus was made perfect (or brought salvation to completion) by proving to be the only High Priest whose work reconciles God to man and whose sacrifice offering (which is Himself) atones for sin. All other High Priests fell short; sinful and finite mortals can never be worthy mediators between God and Man. All other sacrifices are also insufficient; mere animal blood can never be a sufficient payment to redeem human souls to the living God. Only the Blameless lamb of God, through the eternal Spirit, could accomplish this work (Hebrews 7:23-27).

Why Does it Matter?

You may be wondering why it matters that we understand and believe that Jesus is the only one who is able to bring to completion God’s redemption plan for humanity. It matters because if one rejects Christ, there is no other way to God. There is no other way for our sins to be forgiven/atoned for, there is no other way to have eternal life, there is no other way to be reconciled to God. This is why there are not and can’t be many ways to God, as some claim. This is why Jesus says in John 8:24, “unless you believe that I am he [The Christ] you will die in your sins” . “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3).

Summary

Made perfect in the book of Hebrews, as it pertains to Jesus means, bringing to completion. It is not about Jesus’ nature or morality being perfected but about him being the only one who could and did bring to completion God’s redemption plan. Through his life, death and resurrection Jesus proved to be the only perfect High Priest and sufficient atoning sacrifice. There is only one way to God, Jesus The Christ.

How did you understand the phrase Jesus was made perfect before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.