Reverence and Resurrection

The often–spoken devotional theme—that Jesus is able to identify with our sufferings and challenges because he was challenged and suffered in his humanity himself—is on full display in Heb. 5:1–10. Carefully, a reading of v. 2 finds the word weakness. The reason for the “careful reading” is because Jesus in his humanity may be susceptible to weakness, however in his deity he is not. V. 2 reads, 

Hebrews 5:2 (CSB)  

2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he is also clothed with weakness.  

The New Testament term that is translated here to “weakness” includes a definition of “limitation.” Because God is not limited in anything he is or does, we know this term (weakness) applies to the humanity of Jesus Christ. He is the “Great High Priest” because his humanity identifies completely with our humanity in its limitation. This character allows his complete sacrifice to be sufficient for our salvation. 

 Later in vs. 7–8 of chapter 5, the author of the letter tells us Jesus “prayed for us”—prayers that were heard—and he suffered on our behalf.  

Hebrews 5:7–8 (CSB)  

7During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.  

Important to v. 8 is the last word in the verse—“reverence.” “The one who was able to save Jesus from death,” God, “heard” Jesus’ prayer because Jesus respected (reverence) God’s ability to save him. He prayed because he respected the power of God, not to display an action for God, but petitioned God because God has the power to heal. Again this month, “moralism” is not what heals, God is the one who heals us from our suffering. 

 We began our teaching on Principle 4 last Monday. We do inventory work in Principle 4 because God knows our actions and he heals us anyway—because he can.