Daily Devotions
Hebrews
"He learned obedience by the things He suffered"
Text: Hebrews 5:8
WHY IS IT SO HARD TO LEARN OBEDIENCE?
There are many reasons why man finds it so hard to practise obedience to God. The example of King Saul’s disobedience is a classic one to study (Cf. 1 Samuel 15). The following reasons why Saul failed may be listed for our learning:-
1. Defection
“He has turned back from following Me…”
1 Samuel 15:11b
2. Disobedience is often a calculated and deliberate act (whether by commission or omission)
“And (he) has not performed My commandments.”
1 Samuel 15:11c
3. Disobedience is not seen as something “evil”
“Why did you swoop down on the spoil, and do
evil in the sight of the LORD?”
1 Samuel 15:19
4. Refusal to admit wrongdoing compounds the problem
“And Saul said to Samuel, ‘But I have obeyed the
voice of the LORD…'”
1 Samuel 15:20
5. Blaming others further complicates the matter of disobedience
“Because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.”
1 Samuel 15:24
HOW MAY WE LEARN OBEDIENCE?
Disobedience is a danger that must not be discounted easily. Every soul should fear this sin of disobedience. The following text teaches us how Jesus learned obedience.
“He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”
Hebrews 5:8c
What were some of the things Jesus suffered in His life? Let’s consider the short list appended below:-
1. Jesus suffered want:-
a) He was born in a poor family.
b) He had to take up the carpentry trade to support his mother’s family.
(His earthly father died and Jesus had to fulfil His responsibilities to His family)
2. Jesus suffered injustice
The trial of Jesus was little more than mockery of both the Jewish and Roman governments! He was beaten severely, condemned though innocent and finally put to death. He learned and mastered the subject of obedience as no other man had!