Suffering Prepares us for our Calling

Hebrews 5:8-9 (NLT) says, "Even though Jesus was God’s Son, He learned obedience from the things He suffered. In this way, God qualified Him as a perfect High Priest, and He became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey Him." 

During my quiet time recently, I came across a passage that I've read many times, but I as I read this time, I realized I had never noticed the power written in these words. The Passion Translation words it this way, "But even though He was a wonderful Son, He learned to listen and obey through all his sufferings. And after being proven perfect in this way He has now become the source of eternal salvation to all those who listen to Him and obey."

The Greek word for obedience is "hupakoe." It means to "listen to for the knock on the door" or "pay attention." So, this verse explains that the many ways Jesus suffered while He walked on the earth, were lessons of listening to and obeying God. It's hard to believe, but according to scripture, Jesus, God's own Son, learned obedience through suffering. Even for the most holy person that ever lived, suffering was a tool used for growth and preparation. It was His suffering that prepared Him to become the compassionate, humble Savior we all needed. He was not ready to be that source of eternal salvation until He had been proven perfect and qualified by God as the High Priest.

Understanding this scripture has been a source of comfort for me. The things we endure in this life can often seem unfair and fruitless but if Jesus needed suffering to prepare Him for His calling, we probably do too! Romans 5:3-4 tells us that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. The difficulties in life and are not purposeless or unseen by our God. They lead to a deeper relationship with Him when we seek His guidance and listen for His voice. They also lead to spiritual growth, preparing us for the good works God has planned for us. 

It's my prayer that we will intentionally allow the suffering we endure to teach us how to listen and obey, knowing God can use those things to perfect us. That means, we must embrace the suffering instead of running from it. When we surrender to God's authority and trust Him, even when things don't make sense, He will meet us in ways we could never imagine.