During the Days of His Flesh (Hebrews 5:7-10)

During the Days of His Flesh

 

Hebrews 5:7-10

 

Reading the book Hebrews in the Bible, we find that the word ‘perfect’ appears frequently in this epistle. For example, verse 7:19 says, “for the law made nothing perfect,” and 9:9 mentions “gifts and sacrifices that could not make him that did the service perfect.” In addition, verse 2:10 says, “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering,” and 7:28 says, “For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.”

 

According to these words, Jesus is the one who is himself perfect, and also who make us perfect. What is interesting, however, is that the book does not call Jesus “one who is perfect” but “one who has been made perfect.” Of course, Jesus is perfect from the beginning. Nevertheless, the perfection mentioned in these verses is more the perfection that Jesus achieved while the Lord was on earth than the perfection that Jesus had from the beginning. In today’s passage as well, Jesus is described as “being made perfect.” What does it mean for Jesus, who was already perfect, to be made perfect?

 

Today’s passage is opened with “During the days of his flesh.” This means the days when Jesus was on earth. “The days of his flesh” indicates that Jesus became flesh or became “a man” like us. “Being flesh” may have many implications, but there are two natures inherent in flesh. First, flesh is weak. In Matthew 26:41, Jesus said to his disciples, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” The flesh is weak. Therefore, although we have good desires and thoughts, we are not able to carry them out. It is because we don’t have strength to do. The flesh is too weak to serve good wills. Second, flesh is wicked (sinful). In the Bible, the word referring to ‘flesh’ is often translated to “sinful nature.” In Romans 7:18, St. Paul confesses, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” According to this confession, there is nothing good in the flesh. What he means is not that the flesh is less good but that it is not good at al. Everything that the flesh desires is evil. As long as it is about the body, “I” am hopelessly weak, and totally corrupted, far from perfection. The gap is like that between heaven and earth. There is no hope of perfection in the flesh. Then Jesus became flesh, and lived a life of flesh on earth. This was the situation that Jesus confronted when he came to us and became a man among us.

 

The flesh is weak and wicked. Therefore, it is easily tempted. No one on earth has been able to resist the temptations. Then how could Jesus, in flesh, defeat the temptations and became perfect? Today’s passage reveals the secret to us. Jesus’ life can be summarized into “trusting prayer” and “reverent obedience.” These two are not separated from each other, but they are one. Trusting prayer and reverent obedience were a life line connecting Jesus to God the Father. Figuratively speaking, it is like an umbilical cord that links a fetus to the body of the mother. Through the cord are supplied nutrition and oxygen, and also through the cord are discharged all kinds of impurities. In the same way, Jesus relied on God only for everything he needed, and he brought before God all the agonies and burdens in his heart. The trials that Jesus had to suffer during the days of his flesh were indescribably painful. They were like having fasted 40 days and still denying the desire to eat bread presented to him. They were like being quiet and gentle to his enemies who were committing all kinds of evil things and even nailing him on the cross. In all these trials, Jesus trusted in God and obeyed His will. He lived a life pleasant to the Father.

 

People often try to find the meaning of “perfection” in themselves. That is, they think that perfection may be achieved if they become faultless. It would be great if I am healthy, wise, rich, and good, even along with beautiful or handsome appearance and fine personality. Then, I may be perfect. However, Jesus’ perfection was not in himself. In a human sense, Jesus’ life may be far from perfection. Jesus’ perfection was not in him. His perfection was in his relationship with God. That is, Jesus trusted in God “perfectly” and he obeyed God “perfectly.” In this way, Jesus completed “the righteousness of God.” In other words, he lived a sinless life, and became “perfect.”

 

What is interesting is that Jesus attained the perfection when he was in his flesh, namely, when he was weak. We may think that, in order to obey God, I have to wait until I become “perfect.” We think that if my situation is improved I may be able to obey God’s words. This is wrong. Obedience in a better situation is not “obedience.” It is because “obedience” supposes a situation in which obedience is impossible. A rich person’s donation is not so praiseworthy. If one gives out of extreme poverty, we call it “obedience” and praise it. In this sense, “a man perfect in flesh” cannot be “one perfect before God.” only when we humble ourselves as Jesus did, we can learn and experience the true meaning of faith and obedience. Accordingly, when we are weak, it is the opportune time to strengthen our relationship with God through perfect faith and obedience.

 

Verse 9 says, “And once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for al who obey him.” Jesus’ obedience and being made perfect through the obedience is not for himself. It is for us. What does it mean for us to obey Jesus? It is receiving Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Living a life of faith is not attending a praise meeting, praising in a loud voice, or fasting regularly. Living a life of faith is following Jesus. It is learning Jesus. It is imitating his steps, and doing what Jesus commanded us to do. In other words, living a life of faith is being united completely with Jesus. It is that, like Jesus is in the Father, we become in Jesus. Then, however weak and wicked we are, we can reach the perfection of the Lord. Our perfection is in our “perfect unity with Jesus the Lord.” May the Lord reveal this secret in our hearts and let us enjoy the blessings freely and gratefully.