Verse 8 of this chapter is such an amazing mystery to me, that though Jesus is the Son of God, he learned obedience through what he suffered while in the flesh. Now shouldn't that give us a new perspective on suffering! Christ, in turn, promises that we would suffer as well: "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake." (Matthew 24:9) But also, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) And from the disciple, "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3) Suffering is sorrowful, horrible, and utterly heart-rending, and that's just the spiritual implications. ("My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me." Psalm 55:4-5) However, this suffering is not forever, and it is overcome in Christ. So suffering is meant for our refinement and purification, transforming us ever more into the image of Christ. And it is this Christ, our amazing High Priest, who was "made to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Corinthians 5:21). To God be the glory!
**Important Note: Please read through the whole of Hebrews (I recommend the English Standard Version or New American Standard Bible) for contextual significance (and significant context!). There is a lot of Scriptural meat found outside these 17 syllables.
5:1
For ev'ry high priest
Chosen from among men is
Appointed to act
5:1 (continued)
On behalf of men
In things pertaining to God,
That he may offer
5:1 (continued again)
Both sacrifices
For the sake of sin, and to
Present gifts to God
5:2
He can deal gently
With the ignorant, and those
Easily deceived
5:2 (continued)
Because he himself
Also is clothed with weakness
And infirmity
5:3
That is why he must
Offer sacrifices for
His own sin and theirs
5:4
And no one takes this
Honor for himself; God calls,
As he called Aaron
5:4 (again)
No one can become
A high priest because he wants
He is called by God
5:5
So also Christ did
Not glorify himself to
Become a high priest
5:5 (continued)
But God said to him,
"You are my Son, today I
Become your Father."
5:6
"You are a priest for-
Ever after the order
Of Melchizedek."
5:7
In his days of flesh
Jesus offered up both prayers
And supplications
5:7 (continued)
With loud cries and tears
To the one who is able
To save him from death
5:7
And God heard his prayers
Because of his reverent
Submission and fear
5:8
Though he was a son
He learned obedience from
The things he suffered
5:9
He became the source
Of eternal life to all
Those who obey him
God appointed him
High Priest after the order
Of Melchizedek
Of whom there's much more
To say, yet hard to explain
Since your hearing's dull
Though by this time you
Ought to be teachers, you need
Someone to teach you
5:13 (continued)
Elementary
Principles again, you need
Milk not solid food
5:13 (continued)
Anyone who lives
On milk is unskilled in the
Word of righteousness
Solid food is for
The mature, who distinguish
Both good and evil
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