Hebrews 5:8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
This is one of the most revealing verses about Jesus’ humanity recorded in the New Testament. It takes our best thinking and imagination to even begin to consider what this means. First, the author reminds the readers of Jesus’ divinity as God’s Son. Jesus’ sonship is different than any other human. All humans, as with all creation, trace their origins to the will of God. We are conceived not by human will but by the miracle of God’s sovereign decision. Thus, all humans can call God our creative Father. But this most general concept begins to break down because of sin. But Jesus is the unique Son in a way no one else is. Theologians have wrestled and debated about this topic since the earliest days of the church. I can offer nothing new but simply the reflection that Jesus as the Son shows special relationship to the Almighty God, creator of all things. To call Jesus “son” implies the bond of love. At this point, we must return to the opening verses of this epistle and reflect on Hebrews 1:1-3.
After reflecting back on the superiority of Jesus as the divine Son, the author shifts to reflect on Jesus’ humanity. Jesus “learned.” He was completely human and did not have all knowledge. There were many things Jesus had to learn. The author is not making a comment on all of Jesus’ life here, but what the author does say impacts our Christology (study of Christ). Jesus was not born with perfect knowledge but grew up and learned just like all other humans must. He gives us the example of the perfect student. What makes Jesus the perfect student?
Jesus learned “obedience.” Obedience is dependent upon trust and faith. Jesus had complete trust in the Father. John’s Gospel especially, as well as many places in the New Testament, clearly shows this dependence upon the Father. Jesus is the model of totally sanctified faith. He did not compromise though tempted. When faced even with suffering, he turned to the Father for help. Jesus gives us the model to follow. Suffering may tempt us to doubt God or to lean on our own understanding. The ideas in this verse are so significant for our own lives. Jesus as the perfect high priest shows us the way to grow in our own faith and dependence upon God. To become like Christ is to grow in our faith.
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