The Purple RobeSample

THE OBEDIENCE TRAINER

The high priest’s job was to offer reactive prayers of repentance and provide proactive counsel against sin. God gave numerous instructions to Moses and Aaron, which they had to convey to the people (Exodus 12:43; Leviticus 17:2). The only problem was that it often turned out to be like the blind leading the blind.

I find it quite difficult to follow advice or instructions from someone who has not mastered a specific skill themselves in my own life. In Aaron’s case, the people could hardly trust him to teach obedience after being the main instigator of the gold calf fiasco. “So Aaron said, ‘Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.’ All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf” (Exodus 32:2-4, NLT). Not exactly the perfect role model!

That is exactly why Jesus qualified to be our perfect High Priest. “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4:15, NLT). You see, even though it seems easy and natural for someone who is God to resist temptation, the human dimension of Jesus still had to learn how to obey.

It was no easier for Jesus to be obedient than for us today. It cost Him immense suffering to keep doing the right thing all the time. “Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered” (Hebrews 5:8, NLT). When I think about the day when Jesus got angry at the temple, I wonder how He managed not to commit all kinds of sin (Matthew 21). I would love to learn that skill! Fortunately, we have the Bible and the Holy Spirit to teach us Jesus’ way.

Have you ever had to learn obedience the hard way? Are you suffering the consequences of disobedience in your life at the moment? Do you believe Jesus wants to teach you how to do better next time?

Our High Priest Jesus is the perfect teacher because He had to learn obedience Himself. Let us follow Him wholeheartedly into a life of obedience and peace. “‘Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them’” (John 14:21, NLT).