Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. Hebrews 5:8Jesus was without sin. Always obedient. Isn't it a paradox that Jesus had to learn obedience?
He was fully divine, yet fully human, and although he lead a blameless life, he came to acquire knowledge and experience by living as we do - with suffering and temptations. Jesus, "especially came to know firsthand what it cost to maintain obedience in the midst of suffering. As he obeyed his Father in the face of temptation, he 'learned obedience' so that his human moral ability would be strengthened." Crossway ESV 2368
The other day Grant and Ethan had cross words that quickly turned physical. Grant hauled off and pushed Ethan down. "Grant, to the bathroom."
Oh, The Bathroom. Our downstairs guest bath must be my kid's least favorite place on the planet. The place we go for discipline. I hope they don't grow old with phobias about guest baths. {Praying they recover.}
I walked into the bathroom to see Grant crouched down with tears. "Mom, I promise I won't do it again. I'll be nice. I'll let him go first. I'll keep my hands off. I promise. Do I have to get a spankin'?"
"Grant, I wish it worked that way. And sometimes it does. Sometimes, I can take you at your word that you won't do it again. But this time, mommy needs to discipline you. Buddy, I don't discipline you because I like it. I discipline you because I love you. I don't want this behavior in you. Folly is all bound up in your heart and the only way for us to get it out is through discipline (Prov 22:15). Even Jesus had to learn obedience through suffering. He didn't want to go to the Cross. He begged his Daddy not to make him go. (Hebrews 5:7) But he went anyway. He submitted to his Father. He learned obedience just like you have to learn it. And look what came from Jesus' obedience in going to the Cross. Our salvation. I sure am glad he obeyed!"
At this point, I'm sure Grant heard Charlie Brown's school teacher. But I don't care. I believe in sowing those seeds of Truth. He'll get it one day.
I want my boys to understand that the hardship and suffering associated with discipline is motivated by my great love for them. Not my frustration with them. Not my disappointment in them. I discipline my children because I love them. I want better for them.
Honestly, this encourages me as God's child, too. When I suffer, when I am disciplined, I know I am being treated as God's child. He loves me enough to not leave me to my sin. I'm sure it would be easier to let me be. Not listen to me whine and complain about it. But no, He pursues me because He sees the sin in my heart and wants it out.
The less junk in my heart...the more room for Him.
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12: 10.11
Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12: 10.11
"The less junk in my heart...the more room for Him." Love that!
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