DISCOURSE: 2287
CHRIST BENEFITED BY HIS OWN SUFFERINGS
Hebrews 5:7-9. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
THE priestly office, as marked out by God, belonged exclusively to the tribe of Levi. Yet our Lord, though he was not of that tribe to which the priesthood appertained, was truly and properly a High-priest. He was constituted a priest of a different order from that of Aaron, and executed the duties of the priesthood in a far different manner than it was possible for any other person to perform them. He offered not the blood of bulls and of goats, but his own body, for the sins of the world. The Apostle describing the manner in which he ministered, sets before us,
I. His conduct under his sufferings—
Never were the sufferings of any creature comparable with those of Christ—
[His bodily sufferings perhaps were less than many of his followers have been called to endure [Note: It is possible indeed that the perfect temperature of his body might give a more exquisite sensibility to the organs; but this is no where affirmed in Scripture.]; but those of his soul were infinitely beyond our conceptions [Note: Psalms 22:14-15. with Matthew 26:38.]: the assaults of Satan, and the wrath of God, combined to produce that bloody sweat in the garden of Gethsemane [Note: Luke 22:44.]
Under them he poured out his heart in prayer unto his heavenly Father—
[He never lost sight of God as his Father, but addressed him with the greater earnestness under that endearing title [Note: Mark 14:36.]: he knew that his Father was “able to save him from death:” he therefore repeatedly besought him to remove the bitter cup, and urged his petitions “with strong cries and floods of tears;” not that he repented of the work he had undertaken; but only desired such a mitigation of his sufferings as might consist with his Father’s glory, and the salvation of men [Note: John 12:27-28. As a man, he could not but feel, and as a good man, he could not but deprecate, the wrath of God: but he desired nothing that was inconsistent with the Divine will, Matthew 26:39.]
Nor did he desist from prayer till he had obtained his request—
[Him the Father always heard, nor was an answer now denied him: he was delivered from that which he chiefly deprecated [Note: The learned differ about the sense of ἀπὸ τῆςεὐλαβείας; some translate it pro reverentiβ, others ex metu. See Beza on Hebrews 5:7.]. Though the cup was not removed, he was not suffered to faint in drinking it: he was strengthened by an angel in answer to his prayer [Note: Luke 22:43.], and clearly shewed what an answer he had received, by the dignified composure with which he immediately resigned himself into the hands of his enemies [Note: John 18:4-8; John 18:11.]
His sufferings indeed could not be dispensed with; but they were amply recompensed by,
II.
The benefit he derived from them—
The benefits accruing to our Lord from his own sufferings were,
1. Personal—
[It was necessary for him as our High-priest to experience every thing which his people are called to endure in their conflicts with sin and Satan [Note: Hebrews 2:17.]. Now the difficulty of abiding faithful to God in arduous circumstances is exceeding great: this is a trial which all his people are called to sustain, and under it they more particularly need his almighty succour; this therefore he submitted to learn. Though as the Son of God he knew all things in a speculative manner, yet he could not know this experimentally, but by being reduced to a suffering condition; this therefore was one benefit which he derived from his sufferings. He learned by them more tenderly to sympathize with his afflicted people, and more speedily to succour them when imploring his help with strong crying and tears [Note: Hebrews 2:18.]
2. Official—
[As the priests were consecrated to their office by the blood of their sacrifices, so was Jesus by his own blood [Note: Τελειωθεὶς sometimes means “consecrated:” see Hebrews 7:28.]. From that time he had a right to impart salvation: from that time also he exercised that right. The persons indeed to whom alone he is “the author of eternal salvation,” are, “those who obey him.” Not that they possess this qualification before he vouchsafes his mercy to them; but he invariably transforms his people into his own image, and makes them, like himself, obedient unto death [Note: Philippians 2:8.]
We may learn from hence,
1.
What we should do under sufferings, or a dread of God’s displeasure—
[We should not hastily conclude that we are not his children [Note: Hebrews 12:6.]: we should rather go with humble boldness to God as our Father [Note: Luke 15:17-18.]; we should plead his gracious promises [Note: Psalms 50:15.]; nor can we possibly be too earnest, provided we be content that his will should be done. (Alas! that there should be so little resemblance between our prayers and those of Christ!) We should however consider that as the best answer to prayer, which most enables us to glorify God.]
2. Whither to go for salvation—
[The Father was “able to save his Son from death,” and doubtless he can save us also; but he has exalted his Son to be a Prince and a Saviour [Note: Acts 5:31.]. To Christ therefore we are to go, and to the Father through Christ [Note: Ephesians 2:18.]. In this way we shall find him to be the author of eternal salvation to us [Note: Hebrews 7:25.]
3. What is to be our conduct when he has saved us—
[Jesus died “to purchase to himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.” We must therefore obey him, and that too as willingly in seasons of severe trial as in times of peace: we must be content to be conformed to the likeness of our Lord and Master. Let us be faithful unto death, and he will give us a crown of life [Note: Revelation 2:10.]