Good Friday
Hebrews 4:14-16,5:7-9
Every piece of text in the Good Friday liturgy is heavy with meaning. Pieces of scripture that I may have heard throughout the year have a whole new resonance today. I found it hard to pick just one text. I settled on the text from Hebrews. In a series of fairly complicated chapters the writer wants us to understand that Jesus is our model. It’s that simple. The way in which Jesus lived, loved and worked is our model.
The writer of Hebrews doesn’t sugar coat things. Jesus learns to obey through suffering. This may not sit easily with us. My own instinct is usually to avoid suffering. I wouldn’t naturally associate this with a growth in obedience. It is usually after the event that I look at a period of suffering as a time of growth. Life in the monastery has taught that obedience is much more than keeping rules. It’s a type of deep listening where you confront your true self.
Commentators suggest the writer of Hebrews wants to suggest that Jesus learnt and developed during his life, just like us. On the cross Jesus’ learning is complete and he knows himself as Son. His whole life has pointed to this moment of obedience.
Have you learnt anything through suffering?