Hebrews 5 - Suffering

How many times have you complained about your suffering and the trials you have faced? We often look at ourselves and grouse about how bad we have it. Look at the description of Jesus in Hebrews 5 and how He responded to suffering.

Hebrews 5:7-9 (HCSB), "During His earthly life, He offered prayers and appeals, with loud cries and tears, to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. Though a Son, He learned obedience through what He suffered. After He was perfected, He became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him"

Christ, though the Son of God whose rightful place was with the Father in Heaven, learned obedience through suffering. God, the Father, could have saved him from death, but the Father knew that the Son must be the sacrifice for our sins. While Jesus' prayers were heard because of his reverence for the Father, Jesus always sought the Father's will. Even in Gethsemane when he prayed, "... My Father! If it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will." (Matthew 26:39 - HCSB). Even as he asked for mercy, he knew that it was more important for him to suffer and seek the Father's will.

Through his suffering, our sins are covered. He learned obedience and taught obedience by looking to the Father and seeking His will above all. Jesus was fully human, tempted and tested by all things human. Let us learn from his obedience.

Take Refuge in a Saviour willing to give up his right and his will and who chose suffering, even unto death, for you and me so that we might one day be with Him in glory.