During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered. Heb 5:7-8 (NIV)
Jesus learned things.
Now, THERE’S a concept we don’t often ponder.
Jesus, God’s son, Almighty One, saviour of the universe, who was there in the beginning, the bread of life, healer, redeemer, restorer…
LEARNED.
He often prayed crying, asking for deliverance… not just in the garden before the crucifixion, but all through His ministry.
We focus a lot on Jesus sovereignty, but not much on His humanity. He entered the world like us, a small baby who had to be fed and changed, had to learn how to walk, communicate… all of it.
And not just motor skills, He learned sadness, happiness, hope, forgiveness, obedience (hello!), work, rest, love, peace…
In Heb 5:8, the word “learned” comes from the word ‘Manthano’ which refers to teaching, learning, instructing, and being a disciple; Acquiring a life-long habit. It doesn't just signify acquisition of “head knowledge” but includes corresponding life change – true discipleship. Jesus himself was a disciple of the Father, as sons often are with their fathers.
The word “suffering” comes from the word ‘Pascho’ which refers to the things that happen to a person or what they experience. It means to undergo something; to experience a sensation, an impression from an outside source, to undergo an experience. It doesn’t necessarily mean painful, but we can all agree that most great teaching moments come from challenging and or painful experiences.
Imagine the moments Jesus started to learn who He was, the journey He would walk… as God asked Him to stretch Himself, to step out in faith, to not worry but pray, to take authority over sickness and evil… How to overcome betrayal and ward off bitterness. How to love…
We have this sense that Jesus arrived on earth in a baby's body with an adult's brain… but he didn’t.
And now, as He asks us to grow through our pain, to learn strength through challenges and opposition, to trust and believe through darkness and doubt, we KNOW that He is not asking us to do something that He did not have to do Himself.
So go ahead and LEARN, grow, mature… keep on journeying and discovering wisdom. As learners, we are in good company.
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