Hebrews 5:8-10 (NIVUK)
8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9 and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10 and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.
What intriguing verses these are! There’s the mystery of Melchizedek (we’ll come back to him), the wonder of the salvation Jesus offers us, but also the puzzle of Jesus learning to be obedient – does that mean he wasn’t to start with, after all, verse 9 suggests he was imperfect to begin with… I think that the writer is saying that our obedience is only made complete (which is what perfect means) when it is put into practice; an obedient outlook isn’t the same as obedience, obedience is something acted out, something done. More than that, being obedient when it is easy is one thing, but being obedient when to do so costs and hurts, really proves the depth of your obedience and faithfulness.
Thank you Jesus that you proved your obedience and compassion in the most difficult of situations. May your example and your Spirit inspire us to follow you if and when our time comes.
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