September 22, 2020
Oh, the Rich Reward of Obedience!
Hebrews 5
Rebecca Petticrew
Central Truth
We can relate to Jesus because He lived in His humanity, just as we do. We should follow and trust Him to save us in an eternal relationship with our Creator because He lived perfectly in that humanity, without sin, and sacrificed Himself for us.
Key Verse | Hebrews 5:8-9
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.
Hebrews 5
1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is obligated to offer sacrifice for his own sins just as he does for those of the people. 4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
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”;
6 as he says also in another place,
“You are a priest forever,
after the order of Melchizedek.”
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus 1 5:7 Greek he 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. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.
Warning Against Apostasy
11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 5
Do you remember when you learned why you should obey? I know for me, understanding grew and matured over time. As a very young girl, I thought I'd best obey to avoid the discipline I would surely receive. Later on, I found that my obedience produced positive fruit in my life. But what I found in observing Jesus' obedience changed everything.
In His role as great High Priest, Jesus provides restoration for the loss of relationship between God and man by offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin and rising again—"begotten" into glorious life! Incredible! But what does it mean in Hebrews 5:8a that "[a]though he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered"?
Let's remember that way back in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the world when Adam and Eve disobeyed. Previously, they had only known goodness and peace. Now they would have to learn to identify, by daily struggle and submission to God, the right way to live. In His humanity, Jesus experienced the weakness of the flesh and looked to God for deliverance from temptation. He learned what was required for a man to obey so that on a different day, in a different garden, with the same temptation, Jesus was able to yield to the Father's will (Matthew 26:39).
In His work, Jesus patterns for me a better motivation to obey—love and reverence for God (John 14:15). Clothed in our same flesh, He cried out to the One who was able to save Him, the One who gave Him the courage to set aside His own will and became the source of salvation to all who submit to Him. Like Jesus, we can obey because God loves us best, and He knows what is best. I know God uses faithful, repentant, and obedient individuals throughout history to bring about blessing and the promise of salvation. Christians carry on Christ's work (Matthew 5:16)!
I'm so glad you're spending time with the Lord today. Let knowing Him build your faith, so you are free to obey without doubt and with true joy.
Discussion Questions
1. John 14:15 says, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." What posture does your heart take at hearing these words from Jesus?
2. In 1 Samuel 15:22, we read that God never delighted in all the rituals of burnt offerings and sacrifice. Rather, He always desired the hearts of the people. Consider the spiritual disciplines in your life. Are they dull in their established routine or vibrant with renewal and life?
3. Where do you need to pause and seek God's strength to obey? Who do you think would benefit from your faithfulness?