Focus: Learn To Obey!

Text: Heb.5:8

"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered."

In the school of suffering our Lord Jesus Christ learned obedience. Obedience was not something that He imported from heaven; no, no, no; He learned obedience right here on earth. No one is exempt from taking the path of obedience, not even the Son of God. 

The Father never made different rules for His children, and in God's scheme of things, no one is above the law. What makes life worth living on earth is loyalty to divine authority or compliance to the rule of law as established by God.

The sufferings of life taught Christ obedience, not rebellion. He didn't become rebellious at any point in time because of one pain or the other. He never took laws into His own hands as a result of trouble. When He was slighted or insulted by men, He did not retaliate. He would not pay evil with evil. He didn't curse God for the sake of lack or pain. He was always the obedient Son of His Father. He obeyed the Father even to the point of death. He said yes to the Father's yes, and no to His no. Every time the Father said, 'Jump,' He would only ask, 'How high?'

The author of Hebrews writes, "For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb.2:10). Through suffering the captain of our salvation was perfected. As God in heaven, He was perfect, and as human, He was made perfect through His sufferings and sacrifices. In the fifth chapter, he writes, "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb.5:9). 

Obedience is rewarding. Loyalty is royalty. There's something royal about being loyal.

Through obedience, Christ has become the Captain of our salvation and the Author of eternal salvation to every believer who is obedient to Him. He obeyed His Father perfectly, and it is now our turn to obey Him.

In this world of ours, not even the righteous is immune to suffering. Every one suffers - all human beings of all ages, sexes, races, colors, classes, religions, and professions. In this world trouble is inescapable, but obedience to God elevates the believer above it. By the grace of obedience we triumph over suffering. 

The believer in Christ has a future designed by God in which suffering in all its forms is absolutely absent.

Christ is our High Priest, and by His sufferings He identified and sympathized with us. He is that High Priest who alone feels our pain. In times of sorrow, we recall that He was "the man of sorrows," a man acquainted with grief, and a man who is touched with feelings of our own afflictions. He never gave in to pain and agony. He never succumbed to afflictions. He was never subdued by the forces of evil. He did not sin with His mouth. He did not commit any crimes against humanity. He knew no evil and did no evil. He is the High Priest with feelings. He is our compassionate Savior and gracious Lord.

Through our obedience to God suffering loses its power or grips on us. The lessons from the school of suffering are very valuable, and they are indeed blessings in disguise. No suffering in our lives has the power of a last laugh. You will laugh at last, not your suffering. You will triumph; and you will testify at last. Lessons well learnt are lasting blessings. Regardless of what you are going through at any time, learn to obey God. In fair or foul weather, obey your God. Obedience works wonders.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter