Hebrews 5:5-10

“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” vs. 7

Since the writer of Hebrews evidently had an audience for his take on the relationship of Jesus to the temple, his letter eventually ended up in our scripture, where it has produced consistent head-scratching from those trying to understand it. Still, even reluctant readers occasionally stumble across gems. Here Jesus is described as having offered up prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears, which is exactly what we do on our worst days. And somehow it’s a comfort to know that since Jesus has experienced what we do, he understands what it’s like to feel at a distance from God. It’s important to note too, that Jesus didn’t get what he was asking for–he wasn’t saved from death! Sometimes we get the screwy notion that Jesus was okay with all the suffering that he endured. And the truth is that he wasn’t! He didn’t like bodily or spiritual pain anymore than we do, and he cried out for relief. In the end, having endured all that he could, he did what we do. He committed himself into the hands of God, and that reverent submission was his salvation. That knowledge may not be much of a comfort as we struggle through our days of anguish, but it might be just what we need to endure. And that in itself is a blessing!

Thought for the Day: What’s my comfort during days of anguish?