Tag: loud cries and tears
The Suffering Son and Salvation
Scripture reading for October 20: Hebrew 5
“So also Christ did not exalt Himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by Him Who said to Him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You”; as He says also in another place, “You are a Priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him Who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence. 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, being designated by God a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 5:5-10
God appointed His Son, Jesus Christ as the High Priest through divine declaration. Normally the high priest in Israel would have to come from the line of Aaron, who was a Levite. Jesus was to be a high priest from the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek was a mysterious Old Testament priest of Salem (Jerusalem) who met Abraham with a meal and a blessing. Melchizedek had not received his priesthood from any relative nor does he pass his priesthood on to a relative. He is the lone priest of this line with no record of his beginning or ending. Like Melchizedek, Jesus Christ is from everlasting to everlasting. He is a unique Priest appointed by God, His Father to an eternal priesthood.
Jesus knew suffering and in His suffering, He called out to God in humble obedience. The writer of Hebrews declares that Jesus, our High Priest learned obedience by His suffering. This suffering was planned by the Father and Son and obediently carried out. Jesus was made perfect through suffering. He did not sin or rebel against the Word of His Father. Death could not hold Him because He had no sin. He was raised from death to intercede for all who would believe. All who now trust and obey Him find that He is the source of eternal salvation. Jesus is the final High Priest needed because He lives forever to intercede for those who depend on Him.
Have you ever thought that if you could have a pain-free life, you would be happy? Does it shock you to find out that Jesus Christ cried out to His Father with tears and anguish for salvation from death? How did this suffering equip Jesus to fulfil His greatest desire to see lost sinners saved from eternal death?
Prayer: Father God, I am humbled to know of the suffering of Jesus Christ, Your Son, on my behalf. It is amazing that suffering in Your Will can produce obedience leading to exaltation. Thank You for a High Priest Who lives forever and hears my crying and tears and understands my temptations. Amen.
Thankful for an Intercessor!
Scripture reading for April 20th: 1st Chronicles 18-22
Key Scriptures: 1st Chronicles 21:16-17 “David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between heaven and earth, with a drawn sword in his hand extended over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell face-down. David said to God, “Was it not I who ordered the fighting men to be counted? I am the one who has sinned and done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? O Lord my God, let Your hand fall upon me and my family, but do not let this plague remain on your people.”
King David had given place to Satan and called for a numbering of the people. God gave him three choices and David chose to fall under three days of God’s chastisement. As the angel of the Lord was standing ready to strike Jerusalem, David and the elders called out in repentance for God’s mercy. David interceded for the people and asked God to punish him and his family!
Rejoicing in our Intercessor: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered, and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him . . ” (Hebrews 5:7-9)