Understanding a suffering Saviour

Dear friend

Is it possible to speak too often of the Lord Jesus Christ? I say no, as long as we maintain respect for His sacred name and person. Certainly the scripture writers never held back. However, has there ever been a person so frequently discussed but so regularly misunderstood as Jesus the Christ? Consider the Apostle Paul, he understood, and we are blessed to have his insights; such as those from the New Testament, Hebrews 5:5-9.

5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.
6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
7 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;

There is so much doctrine from these few verses that builds our true faith in Christ because it teaches us the truth. We learn that He was a high priest. As such, He officiates at the alter for us, but unlike other high priests who make symbolic offerings, Jesus Himself was the offering. Despite that unique high-profile role, He was mighty in humility, having always credited the Father for any glory. We are taught that Christ's Priesthood authority as a high priest was decreed in another place, surely referring to the pre-earth life. The earthly name for that power was known in Christ's times, being called after the great King Melchizedek. The Apostle Paul confirms how the Lord's powers began to be with Him long before His mortal life and mission.

While on earth, Jesus Christ used His powers to their greatest extent as He made His offering in Gethsemane, Golgotha and the Garden tomb; being the fullness of the Atonement. It included  "supplications with strong crying and tears" and caused Him to "fear"; no doubt when He felt the enormity of the unimaginable burden. Then we see something of enormous importance. Christ, even Christ, learned obedience through suffering; and He was the Son. How much more should we learn to obey even as we suffer?

Suffering made the Saviour of mankind "perfect". Following Christ's example of obedience in suffering can make us perfect too, eventually. I hope that as we come to know the truths "about" Jesus Christ we also come to "know" Jesus Christ personally as our Master and Friend.

Samuel.