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Daily Devotion: Hebrews 5:7-10

Hebrews 5:7-10    "Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;  (8)  Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;  (9)  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;  (10)  Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec."

We often are guilty of subconsciously thinking the Word of God was written "willy-nilly."  By that I mean, sometimes because of the luxury of having the book, chapter, and verse number, we tend to look at some passages as though the subject has been changed from what was previously discussed.  As I read these verses this morning, I found myself trying to wrestle with them. Do you ever do that?  I tried to make them fit as a square peg in a round hole. I'm so thankful the Lord has given to each of His children the Holy Spirit whereby we are able to seek the truth of meaning as we search the Scriptures. I pray I can share what the Lord showed me in these passages.

From the very beginning, the writer has been focusing on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. He has methodically taken us from the basic fundamental truth that Jesus is indeed the Son of God to now He is showing us the truth of Christ as our Great High Priest.  Chapter 4 was speaking to us of the "rest"  (calmness of soul) that we can experience when we take our struggles and cares to the Lord. He is touched by the feelings of our pains and heartaches. Not only is He touched by them, He is able to give us sweet relief concerning these matters. The beginning of chapter 5 tells us that Jesus was not of the Levitical (earthly) priesthood. This was important for the Hebrews to understand, for they often clinged to their ritualistic traditions by thinking they were perfect in the law.

In today's passage, the writer is speaking to us of the experience of Jesus Christ. We often talk to one another about our experiences with God. We share how the Lord has manifested Himself to us in many ways. We speak of the peace that passes understanding that the Lord gives to us even in the worst of situations in our lives.  Well, guess what?  Jesus endured situations and circumstances that go beyond anything you or I will ever have to experience. Today's verses speak to us of those times. Remember chapter 4? "He is touched by the feelings of our infirmities."  Have you ever feared? Well, guess what?  Verse 5 tells us that Jesus, the man, also feared. He understands when we go to Him with our fears. Have you ever cried out to God to change situations in your life or to help you endure hard times? Well, guess what? Jesus cried out to the Father "with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death."  Have you ever felt the difficulty that is often experienced when you feel you are "the only one" suffering because you are trying to do the right thing?  Well, guess what? Jesus also suffered, alone, as a result of His obedience unto the Father.

When we can understand the truth of Jesus having experienced the things we are going through, then He truly becomes the "author of eternal salvation." By that, He becomes the source to which we go when we have a need. We can understand Jesus knows all about our struggles. He will stay with us through it all.  No, He was not of the Levitical priesthood. Those priests could not in any way empathize with the suffering of the people. Jesus can and He does. He is the author, the source, of all our help and deliverance. Do not hesitate to call upon Him, no matter how big, or how small, the situation might be. Come boldly. He understands.

Praise His Holy Name!

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