Trust and Obey

Nº 395

Obedience is the only reality. It is faith visible, faith acting, and faith manifest. It is the test of real discipleship among the Lord’s people. - J.C. Ryle

Hebrews 5:8 has always troubled me. Speaking of Jesus, the writer says, Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. So, as a child, was Jesus disobedient and spanked by Joseph to correct the error of his way? I don’t think so!

The two keys that unlock this confusing verse are found in the words learned and obedience.

The word learned provides the root for our word disciple. Disciples learn through supervised practice. Jesus practiced obedience as a child, and it developed into a noble life-long practice.

Obedience means much more than sullen compliance. Obedience is voluntarily submitting our will to the authority of another, even if it means facing undesirable consequences. The key is trusting the good heart and keen mind of the superior.

To learn obedience meant that Jesus trusted His earthly parents enough to submit His childhood will to theirs. Eventually, Jesus would demonstrate this grown-up obedience when He trusted the loving heart and omniscient mind of His Heavenly Father enough to go to the cross for us.

Learning obedience begins by understanding who God is and how much he loves us. And then trusting Him enough to obey Him, even when we do not understand.

Excelsior,

Dan Bolin