The writer continues to demonstrate how Jesus fulfils and is superior to Mosaic law. Here, it’s his high priesthood which is referenced – and we shall come back to this theme, especially in regard to Melchizedek, when we look at chapter 7.

Jesus had to become a ‘grown up’: he experienced infancy and childhood, and, like any other child, learned obedience, even described as ‘being made perfect’. This is not to say that he was any less ‘God’ as a child, but points us to the truth that Jesus had to prove himself to be obedient to the Father’s will in order to win our salvation on the cross. Note that a growth learning point for Jesus was ‘from what he suffered’. Is that not a huge encouragement for us when we suffer. Rather than ask ‘why’ (usually an unanswerable one!), a better question would be ‘what do you want to teach me through this season’.

This passage ends in a rather challenging way. He (it most probably is a ‘he’ given the culture of the day) challenges his readers that they are lazy and negligent in their attitude to their own personal discipleship. The reference to righteousness is not entirely clear but it would seem their problem is less one of theological understanding, and more one of putting teaching into practice and living a godly, moral life.

Spiritual maturity is the fruit of a life of obedience to Christ’s teaching, an openness to the work of the Spirit in our life and a willingness to be ‘trained’ or ‘discipled’ within the community of the body of Christ – the church.

We are in a sermon series on prayer. Jesus is our model. V.7 gives us some pointers. ‘During the days of Jesus life on earth’ emphasises the priority Jesus afforded prayer. It was his lifeline. ‘He offered up prayers and petitions’ emphasises the variety of ways in which Jesus prayed. ‘With loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death’ points us to the agony of Jesus on the cross.

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Reflection:

Even in the most acute suffering we can cry out to the Lord and know that we are heard.

Prayer:

Pray for yourself or others for whom this applies today: loud cries and tears allowed.