S – During his earthly life, he offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. ⁸ Although he was the Son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.

Hebrews 5:7–8 CSB

O – Commentary:

The whole experience just referred to was a form of education for Jesus before He served His suffering people. His unique relation to God notwithstanding (He was a Son), He had to experience the true meaning of obedience in terms of the suffering it entailed. Having done so, He was thereby made perfect for the role He would play as His people’s Captain and High Priest. That there is an element of mystery in all this need not be denied, but it is no greater than that found in Luke’s words: “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52). In a real sense not fully comprehensible, the Incarnation gave the already infinitely wise and perfect Son of God the experiential acquisition of knowledge about the human condition. Suffering thus became a reality that He tasted and from it He can sympathize deeply with His followers.

 Zane C. Hodges, “Hebrews,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 792.

A – “Experience obedience in the terms of the suffering it entailed.”  Wow! God allowed Jesus to go through all human suffering to test his obedience in the journey of the cross.  That is the ultimate test.  God is growing us in our test and trials.  It is not easy at all. Yet, Jesus is our example to look to in these moments.  He trusted, believed and acted in obedience.  In the end, God and Jesus won.

R – Heavenly Father, you are God.  We submit ourselves to you today.  Your purposes and ways are high above anything we can think or imagine.  We invite your Holy Spirit to lead us in our thoughts, words and actions.  We surrender our will to your purposes to be accomplished.  We set our faith in your victory today.