Hebrews 5:7 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.
The author now describes the types of things Jesus did to further show his qualifications to be the great high priest. This was during the time of his “flesh” or incarnation, while he walked on earth and lived among people (John 1:14). Jesus offered “prayers and supplications.” The word “prayer” is used throughout the New Testament for asking God to help us in our needs. Jesus interceded for others and prayed that the Father would meet all his daily needs. One of the greatest examples of this is in John 17. The word for “supplications” occurs only here in the New Testament. It has the idea that God supplies what we need. Jesus recognized that the source of his strength was found in his heavenly Father. This verse points out that what Jesus needed specifically was God to help him through death. Jesus went to the cross with the full faith that he would be resurrected on the third day. This is the greatest example of faith anywhere recorded. Death is the great unknown for every human. No one has come back from the grave to tell about it. We have no recorded word of what Lazarus or any other person who was raised in the Bible experienced in death. Jesus is the only one who willingly went to death knowing that he would be raised again. His prayer was heard “because of his reverence.” Reverence is another word for worship which requires trust. This verse reveals the close relationship between Son and Father. This is on full display in John’s Gospel (see John 5:16-30). Jesus’ prayer life showed his total trust in his Father. As a human, Jesus found the source of his power and strength in the Father. This is a powerful connection linking humanity to the eternal God.
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