Tag: obedience through suffering
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.
Jesus: A Priest forever!
Scripture reading for October 20th: Hebrews 5
High priests in Old Testament Israel came from Aaron, Moses’s brother, appointed by God to that position. He was a sinful man, and could identify with the people and offered sacrifices for their sins as well as his own. But Aaron and his offspring were limited in their ability to serve the people, in that death took them away. Although this priesthood was still helpful, God had something better in mind for his people.
“No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by God, just as Aaron was. So Christ also did not take upon Himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to Him, “You are My Son; Today I have become Your Father.” And He says in another place, “You are a Priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”” (Hebrews 5:4-6) Jesus was called by His own Father to become a Priest forever! Melchizedek was an Old Testament figure that has some mystery about him. (See Genesis 14:17-20) He was ‘king of Salem’ and ‘priest of God Most High’ in the time of Abram. Abram was met by Melchizedek as he returned after rescuing Lot from King Kedorlaomer. He brought Abram bread and wine and gave Abram a blessing from God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. Abram, in response, gave Melchizedek a tithe of all the spoils! There was no record of Melchizedek’s birth or death, it was like he just appeared and disappeared.
Jesus Christ was appointed to the order of Melchizedek! He meets His brethren and offers a meal of bread and wine, His own body and blood! He is a Priest forever–with eternal existence, past, present and future! He came to bless His brothers and deliver them from their enemies and make known Father God to them. He is our great High Priest who blesses us with eternal life!