The price of obedience

In his life on earth Jesus made his prayers and requests with loud cries and tears to God, who could save him from death. Because he was humble and devoted, God heard him. But even though he was God’s Son, he learnt through his sufferings to be obedient. When he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. (verses 7-9)

Read Hebrews 5:7-14

It is the Garden of Gethsemane all over again. Jesus prayed there that the cup of death would be removed from him. The writers of the gospels record that he sweated drops of blood and was in great anguish. Yet through all this he was able to pray, ‘Your will, not mine, be done’.

Jesus was humble and devoted. He learnt the full price of obedience. All this he did so that he could bring you eternal life, love and forgiveness.

It’s a big price to pay: to put others before yourself, to be willing to surrender all to a higher authority. It’s hard enough when you’re dealing with other human beings; it’s even more difficult when dealing with God. Yet you are called to follow Jesus, to carry his cross and walk in his footsteps. And that means also going with him to Gethsemane and learning the hard way about obedience, humility and devotion to God.

Jesus, may I always follow in your footsteps, walking in obedience to the Father’s will. Amen.

by Pastor Tom Peitsch, in ‘Living Water for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2001)

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