Learning Through Sufferings

Learning Through Sufferings

“Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.”

It is strange that even though He was the Son, He could not learn obedience by an easier way. This proves that He had renounced being like God and had become a man. Phil. 2:6-8. He was to consecrate a new and living way for us (Heb. 10:20) and be our forerunner. Ch. 6:20. He was to be our High Priest who could sympathize with our weaknesses, someone who was tempted in all points as we are—someone who was tempted, but who overcame. Ch. 4:15-16. He can truly come to our aid so that we can boldly come to Him. Ch. 2:18.

When most people think about Jesus’ sufferings, they think exclusively of the Garden of Gethsemane and of Calvary. If that were so, there would not be a way. On the contrary, this was the conclusion of His sufferings and His education—the way. He is the author and finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2. When we have to suffer, we have to go in faith, right against our human understanding. Matt. 16:23-24.

Therefore we read that in the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death. The days of His flesh did not begin in Gethsemane or when He was 30 years old. As a 30-year-old He was almost finished learning what He had to learn. We hear little about Him during the previous time. We can read about that time in Isaiah 53: “Yet it pleased the Lord to crush Him; He afflicted Him with sickness . . . .” V. 10. Jesus’ human will was to be crushed so that the Father’s will could be done. “He is despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with sickness. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.” V. 3. This is not how we are acquainted with Him after He was 30 years old. Then the crowds sought Him out and wanted to see Him. Yet the people in His home town knew Him only as a carpenter. Mark 6:1-3. When they saw Him like that they reckoned that He was a sinner and was therefore smitten by God. They didn’t know any better than that the person who pleased God should be only blessed. This is what they had learned from the law, and it didn’t occur to any of them that He was stricken because of their transgressions. Isa. 53:8.

In all these circumstances Jesus humbled Himself under the Father’s hand. He did not open His mouth. V. 7. This was not hypocrisy. He didn’t murmur within Himself but kept quiet. Not at all! He humbled Himself, and He entreats us to learn from Him so we can find rest for our souls. Matt. 11:28-30.

Most believers, as well as all the others, protest when they have to suffer. They are not acquainted with Jesus’ way through sufferings unto obedience and divine nature. 2 Pet. 1:4. Paul knew this and taught it. He boasted in his tribulations because they produced patience. Rom. 5:3. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . . .” 2 Cor. 4:17.

It is impossible to gain Christ’s glory by an easier way. Therefore we are exhorted to be of the same mind as Jesus who humbled Himself as the Son of Man and was obedient to the point of His death on the cross. Phil. 2:5-8. God took care of the exaltation. When Jesus was smitten so that people despised Him and turned away from Him, He humbled Himself so that He entered into rest on that point in this world. People are not at rest because they exalt themselves. They think they are worth more than what they are. They complain about people because they think they are being unjustly treated, and they grumble against God because He has not given them a better lot in this world. Only by humbling yourself can you enter into rest, and only then can you become free from the demands of your self-will. That will make an end of backbiting and strife.

Love and fellowship exist among those who have the mind of Christ and who follow Him. Their tribulations bring glory to Jesus. They learn obedience as Jesus did and become like Him. He will also take care of their exaltation. One day they will meet Him in the clouds, and they will always be with the Lord. 1 Thess. 4:17.