Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Hebrews Challenge Chapter Five

Wednesday

Hebrews 5:1-14

The role of high priest was one that had been initiatied way back in Exodus with Aaron and his sons.

The high priest was the one who offered sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and led the worship of the people. It was a very important position, initiated by God's calling.

Not only was the author of Hebrews demonstrating that Jesus was greater than angels and greater than Moses, but now the author is laying out why Jesus trumps any of the high priests before him.

"Although he was a Son, he learned obedience through what he suffered." (verse 8)

What if there is a direct correlation between the depths of God and suffering?

What if knowing God's mercy and love in thick, life-shattering ways necessitated the agony of a cross?

For Jesus, obedience was costly.

For us, it is no different.

Suffering often plunges us into the depths of God. Why then is our cry for immediate and quick relief? For me, it is because I fear what God might reveal about me, in those vulnerable and intimate spaces. But when God redeems my fear, I discover that suffering allows God to reveal more about Himself.

Do we really believe that His way for our lives, may very well involve a cross?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

To REALLY love God necessitates carrying a cross and entering into His sufferings. The journey is a hard one, but a very good one because Jesus is with us/in us/beside us. What a Savior! What a High Priest!!

Gramma2u2 said...

Happy Thanksgiving to your beautiful family. We will continue to include you in our prayers. Tomorrow giving thanks for each day you have together. There are so many things on my thankful list. I'm blessed to be able to have family here. I hope you all have a wonderful day. Keep us posted. Thank you!

Steph said...

Praying for you all today! Praying you sense His nearness and his comfort. Praying your little bean offers many smiles and laughs. We continue to pray for her healing. God is able and he is good in every season. We're holding you up and praying that you don't grow weary.

Wood said...

What hit me with this was Verse 11. You are slow to learn. the message version says "you no longer try to understand ". If we're not "working out our salvation" daily we get into trouble.