Hebrews 5:7-10 | Christ our Example

INTRODUCTION: Earlier this week I had to change he tail light on my car. Josh asked if he could watch. I said yes, he then said that’s good so I don’t have to be an adult siting on the couch watching Youtube trying to figure it out.

I don’t necessarily do things to be an example, but anytime I do something I am an example to my boys.

The main point of this passage is showing us how Jesus performs his job as a high priest. For my sermon today we will also be looking at the example he set as well.

Prayer through reverence

Hebrews 5:7 ESV

7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.

in the days of the flesh - while he was on earth. (answer gnosticism)

Jesus offered up prayers and supplications - supplications is petitions. He was asking God. supplication in Hebrew: means olive branch covered in wool.

loud cries and tears - If this is how Jesus prayed. The Greeks through gods could not cry out like this. This is how we should pray as well. I only do that when I really care about something. Maybe I should care about more things.

HAHA illustration - My son Micah was praying for dinner and he was mumbling the whole time. I kept saying Micah speak up I can’t hear you. He responded “I’m not talking to you”.

to him who was able to save him from death, - He cried asked to not die. But He said no. Tells us about our prayers as well.

and he was heard because of his reverence. - reverence or emotion he was heard. But not as yes answer.

Because of his reverence - this is important for prayer.

If Jesus’ prayer was heard because of His reverence, we shouldn’t expect ours to be heard without it.

Jesus poured his heart out when he prayed. He often prayed all night long. Most of our prayers are just short favors. We should mimic the prayer life we saw in our high priest.

Obedience through suffering

Hebrews 5:8 ESV

8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.

Although he was a son - although he was the eternal son of God

he learned obedience through what he suffered - big debates on what this means.

Learned - experienced. Some things you must go through. He experienced obedience. He learned by experiences it. -

Illustration - I have always been able to speak in public. Everyone who can speak can speak in public. But it wasn’t until I did it week and week out did I become good at it.

When I was in college I earned the award for preacher of the year. My next sermon I got up, with my brand new fancy Bible, and forgot my notes.

If Jesus learned obedience through suffering, we shouldn’t expect to learn obedience another way.

ILLUSTRATION - We think of suffering as discipline. Like when I hit a baseball through a window. My first thought was, run away and maybe my parents won’t notice. But I forgot to get my baseball ( I was bad at baseball and crime). To say I learned obedience through what I suffered is an understatement.

But that is not what it talking about here. He came to experience obedience when he suffered on the cross.

Hebrews 5:9–10 ESV

9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Salvation through perfection

made perfect - perfect means complete. He was made complete by dying. It was not like he was not perfect. He became the complete when he finished his job.

Made complete illustration - I don’t feel complete unless I am wearing my wedding ring. The commitment that I am in has caused me to always be different.

Jesus was complete and perfect already, but when he entered into that relationship he now took one more step to be complete for us.

eternal salvation - because he was in the order of Melchizedek,

obey him - how? by believing in him.

If perfection is required, then Jesus is our only hope.

CONCLUSION: Levi illustration. This week was difficult for us. My youngest, Levi hurt his leg. Couldn’t walk for several days. We took him to the Doctor, and they said they thought he broke it. This is the same child who already broke his leg this year. My heart broke for this little guy. Having to spend a huge part of his life in cast.

It was through those difficult times that I learn to trust his ways are better. We told my mom. We had a bunch of people praying hard, including me. Went in and it was only a sprain. God answer the prayer and his ways are better.