Hebrews 5:8 Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered.
The Japanese connects this with the next two verses as one sentence, but this is certainly worthy of meditation all by itself. The Japanese also plays with the content just a little, perhaps reflecting the theology of the translators: “Though Christ is the Son.” Most English translations say, “a son,” and because of English grammar they put that in the past tense, to match “learned,” but the Japanese puts it in the present, because Christ always was, is, and always will be the Son of God. That to me is a valid point, but it brings up the whole mystery of the Incarnation. Eternal, infinite, omnipotent God became a human being with all our weaknesses! That is absurd on the face of it, but it is the glorious reality of the Gospel. He so identified with our humanity that He had to learn obedience! That is a mind-blower if ever there was one! That’s why God’s choice of Joseph to raise Jesus to adulthood was so absolutely key. Parenting isn’t the same thing as biology, and in most respects Joseph was indeed Jesus’ father. It is hard to imagine a greater honor, or responsibility. We don’t have a record of Jesus’ youth, except for the one incident at the time of His bar mitzvah, so our imaginations can run wild. That’s not necessarily a good thing! However, Jesus continued learning, all the way through His crucifixion, just as we are to keep learning our whole lives. “What He suffered” doubtless included dealing with His sometimes very dense disciples! There are many kinds of suffering, and their effect on us depends on our response to them. I keep coming back to the very important reality that God never picks on us. Everything in our lives, whatever the immediate cause, is allowed by God for our benefit, even if it might seem to be destructive in the moment. (Romans 8:28) When we respond to suffering with that awareness, we indeed learn obedience, and grow and mature and are strengthened by it. As the secular proverb says, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” God wants strong, mature children, so He teaches us obedience.
I’ve certainly been taught this over the years, and I’ve got some scars to prove it! However, I am grateful to say that because I have the awareness of God’s love as a foundation, none of that has destroyed me. I wish I could say I am perfectly obedient at this point, but I’ve still got learning to do! As I age, different things come across as suffering. This “tent” isn’t what it used to be! (2 Corinthians 5:4) However, that is teaching me how to ask for, and receive, help. That also gives me the opportunity to teach others what God has taught me, and for that I need to be grateful. Today I have some carpentry to do that is more physically challenging than it once would have been, and I don’t have anyone around to ask for help. I need God’s wisdom, for sure! That is a minor illustration, but I need to remember that I’m still learning obedience, just as Jesus did, and be grateful.
Father, thank You for Your grace toward me, on so many levels. Help me respond to it as You intend, for my blessing, the blessing of the people around me, and for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!
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