LEARNING OBEDIENCE

Though He was a Son, yet He LEARNED OBEDIENCE by the things which He suffered – Hebrews 5:8

One vital aspect of growth is growing in Obedience! In order to understand how we are to become obedient to the Father's will we must look at JESUS as our Example. This is what He did: "Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered (Heb. 5:8). God’s beloved Son demonstrated a heart of obedience; He came to do His Father's will (Jh.5:30). Yet He had to learn obedience through suffering. The reaction we have to sufferings determines whether or not we learn obedience through them. The same episode may result in acceptance of and obedience to God’s Will or in discouragement and rejection of His will. The difference in reactions is not due to dissimilar events, but dissimilar hearts.

The book of Hebrews clearly shows the relationship between suffering and the learning of obedience. The writer declares that Christ was perfected as the Author of Salvation through sufferings, bringing many sons to glory (Heb. 2:10); and that He “learned obedience by the things which He suffered” (Heb. 5:8). We are then exhorted to follow His example: “Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith” (Heb.12:1-2). We are enjoined to be perfected in righteousness even in the face of trials and affliction. Jesus voluntarily chose to learn obedience unto death. He learned that obedience to God’s Word and Will is more important than the suffering He must endure. This was the highest display of a teachable heart!

The Messiah, as our Model, was tried, tested, and tempted in all respects just as we are, and yet He was without sin (1Jh.3:4). Apart from the bodily agony, a major aspect of the suffering He experienced was in the area of His will. Even while being tried, tested, and tempted, Jesus maintained His submission to the Father's will, by repeatedly denying His own will: “He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as I will, but as You will” (Mt.26:39). “Then I said, “Behold, I have come – in the volume of the book it is written of Me – to do Your will, O God” (Heb.10:7). Imagine all that Jesus did in order to learn obedience.

He stripped Himself of self-will, choosing to submit to His Father's will. He suffered the agony of self-denial in order to learn obedience. He endured the shame of appearing to be guilty when charged by the religious and civil authorities, by not defending His case. He suffered the pain of rejection by the multitudes He had been blessing hitherto. Denying self-will can be hurting and agonizing. Learning obedience demands humility, honesty, and a willingness to be submissive to the Father and His Word, all of which are essential qualities of a teachable heart. Following our Master’s example, we must learn obedience in the same way! That is the essence of a teachable heart. That is the sure path of Uprightness.