Are we no different than...
Illustration
Are we no different than the animals? Most animals are taught obedience by punishing them for disobedience and rewarding them for obedience.
Many might interpret this passage to suggest that Jesus learned obedience because he "suffered consequences" if he didn't obey. The picture the book of Hebrews gives of Jesus is quite different. There is never a hint that he learned a lesson through punishment or that there would be rewards for his obedience.
Obedience is a long-range commitment, not a convenience. A family having known many sufferings, has gained my highest respect. This family has lost three children, two in infancy and another at the age of fifteen; there has been the death of the father, the mother rearing six children alone, the death of a son-in-law after one month of marriage; and the list goes on. They are a family who has learned obedience. For them the faithfulness and trust they have learned has a rich dimension.
My disobedience that has so often gone unpunished and my obedience that has so often been unrewarded lead me to wonder if I have more to learn of obedience.
Many might interpret this passage to suggest that Jesus learned obedience because he "suffered consequences" if he didn't obey. The picture the book of Hebrews gives of Jesus is quite different. There is never a hint that he learned a lesson through punishment or that there would be rewards for his obedience.
Obedience is a long-range commitment, not a convenience. A family having known many sufferings, has gained my highest respect. This family has lost three children, two in infancy and another at the age of fifteen; there has been the death of the father, the mother rearing six children alone, the death of a son-in-law after one month of marriage; and the list goes on. They are a family who has learned obedience. For them the faithfulness and trust they have learned has a rich dimension.
My disobedience that has so often gone unpunished and my obedience that has so often been unrewarded lead me to wonder if I have more to learn of obedience.
