Many scholars believe that Hebrews 5:7-9 points to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, but this seems improbable, because this Scripture is speaking of Jesus’ office as High Priest. While Jesus prayer in Gethsemane may answer to the high priest’s sacrifice for himself, it couldn’t have answered to anything done on behalf of men (cf. Hebrews 5:1). In Gethsemane, Jesus was concerned over his own life (not the cross). He told his disciples he was sorrowful unto death (Matthew 26:38; Mark 14:34), meaning his depression was so great he feared he might die before he was crucified.[1]
Hebrews 5:7-9 is bookended with Jesus’ identity as the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek both in Hebrews 5:5-6 and then in Hebrews 5:10. Therefore, whatever his being heard in that he feared means, Gethsemane cannot be its fulfillment. Rather, it has to do with the time of Jesus’ passion or when he was on the cross. Secondly, we need to be careful how we interpret these verses, because Paul warns us in Hebrews 5:11 that these things are difficult to explain. So, if the teacher finds it difficult to explain such things, imagine how difficult it should be for the student of the word of God to understand.
A third thing we must keep in mind is that God doesn’t play games. Creating humanity wasn’t his version of a Hollywood production in which the writer and director could do anything to make the end please him. God has integrity, and the end of all things must express that integrity for all to see, even if the only one who sees it is God, himself. Therefore, whatever the end of the all things might look like, it must fit God’s character.
That said, we can now look at Hebrews 5:7-9. It is speaking of Jesus when he was in the flesh. What do we know about being in the flesh? Well, 1Corinthians 15:50 says that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. We need to keep in mind that Jesus, before the days of his flesh, was in the form of God (Philippians 2:5-6), which made him equal with God. BUT, he emptied himself of that form and laid aside that equality, taking the form of a servant—flesh (Philippians 2:7). In other words, the One who became Jesus was equal with God, but, when he took the form of flesh, he no longer had the same rights, as he had before his human birth. He was numbered with sinners (Mark 15:28) or those in rebellion against God.
What sort of prayers did Jesus offer to God, while he was on the cross? The author of Hebrews says: “When he offered prayers and supplications… to him who was able to save him from death” (Hebrews 5:7). Jesus’ first prayer was for those who were responsible for his crucifixion—particularly the high priest and the Romans, but generally anyone who had sinned—a very high priestly prayer. Next, he took care of his mother by placing her under the care of his friend. Then he told the robber, who asked to be remembered, that he would be with Jesus in paradise—expressing faith that God would do justly, and showing that the fate of sinners lay in the fate of Jesus. Then, out of the darkness, Jesus brought in the Light: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” This may have one of two meanings. First, Jesus could be saying God had forsaken him, in the sense Jesus, as the High Priest, represents mankind—again a high priestly prayer. Men needed to be saved, and their fate lay in the fate of Jesus. The second explanation could be that Jesus was pointing to Psalm 22 and answering the accusations of everyone who spoke against him that claimed God had forsaken him. Jesus was showing in the Psalm that God had not done so and would raise him from the dead. In either case, it points to Jesus entrusting his fate to God. Perhaps, both explanations are valid.
The final three prayers occur immediately after the fourth prayer. Jesus thirsted but men gave him vinegar to drink. Jesus cried out in a loud voice: “It is finished,” just as the horn was blown in the Temple, announcing the Paschal lamb was being slain. At that time, when the Paschal lamb was being slain, Jesus bowed his head and said: “Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit!”
Nothing in the above claimed any rights. Jesus completely submitted his fate to God’s integrity. “He was heard in that he feared…” not that Jesus was afraid. Rather, he honored and respected his Father. As the Suffering Servant and High Priest, he placed himself (i.e. his fate) in his Father’s care, and trusted God would be fair. Jesus had no rights as man, no right to inherit the Kingdom of God in his flesh. Although he was God in human form, he was God without the rights he once possessed. When the Scripture says he emptied himself or left all but his life behind to become man, God wasn’t playing around. He wasn’t creating a Hollywood fantasy that the director or writer could cause to come out any way that pleased him. Anything good that came out of God taking flesh had to be attained according to the integrity of God. “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.” It must be attained another way, and that way is completely in the hands of God. This is what Jesus did, while on the cross. Rebellious men do not trust God, but Jesus trusted him with everything, asking for nothing but our forgiveness, and this reverence (fear) of God’s integrity was heard and accepted.
Jesus, as the God-man, placed his fate with that of mankind into the hands of his Father. If mankind couldn’t be saved, then neither could the Son of God be saved out of death (Hebrews 5:7; cf. Numbers 14:17-19 and Exodus 32:32). Everything Jesus did supremely expressed the character of God (Hebrews 1:2-3). In Christ, it was possible for God to make peace with mankind and embrace us, while not considering our trespasses (2Corinthians 5:19).
[1] Jesus was depressed over the fact that his communication with his Father seemed to be cut off. The sins of the world were thrust upon him as he made his way from the upper room to Gethsemane. He couldn’t sense the Father’s Presence at this time, hence his depression. See my study: Jesus’ Prayer in Gethsemane.
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2 responses to “He Was Heard in that He Feared”
Hi Eddie,
Just can’t resist a few thoughts that are out of the mainstream of typical interpretation…
What if this one who is offering “strong crying and tears” to save him from death while “in the days of his flesh” is NOT speaking about CHRIST, but about MELCHISEDEC instead; the one being referred to back in Heb. 5:6?
In other words, it appears to me that the entire Hebrews 5:7 verse should be material with parentheses put around it, with all of that verse describing Melchesedec, who was mentioned immediately before in the previous Heb. 5:6 verse. “…Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (WHO in the days of his flesh” – in the days of MELCHISEDEC’S flesh – “when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death” – to save Melchisedec from death – “and was heard for his piety.” ) That is, the piety displayed by Melchisedec, the “King of righteousness”, as Hebrews 7:2 titles him.
Then Hebrews 5:8 switches back to describing Christ the Son learning obedience by the things which He suffered, who then after His crucifixion and ascension became the high priest after the order of that same Melchisedec. “OF WHOM we have many things to say…” (things about MELCHISEDEC), which things Hebrews continued to say later on in Hebrews 7.
I am of the opinion after studying scripture’s descriptions about Melchisedec that he is none other than Enoch who “was translated that he should not see death” (Hebrews 11:5). Melchisedec was said to be still living during the time when Hebrews was being written (Heb. 7:8). That means Melchisedec had never died from the time we first hear about him receiving tithes from Abraham in Genesis 14:18 until Hebrews was written around AD 64.
What if Enoch, the 7th from Adam (who walked with God and had a testimony that he pleased God), had offered up strong crying and tears before his translation, and whose prayer for God to save him from death was heard because of his faith and piety that had pleased God? What if Enoch’s prayer was that he would not suffer the death process, and God heard and answered this prayer of strong crying and tears by giving Enoch a translated body that would not see death? Was not Melchisedec given the power of an “endless life” so that he could be made a high priest which “abideth continually” – a picture type fulfilled later on by Christ? This deathless existence would be identical to Enoch’s experience, which causes me to think that they are one and the same man.
This would also explain why we have direct quotes from Enoch circulating in Jude and Peter’s days in the New Testament. The man Enoch / Melchisedec was “still living” at that time, and could be directly consulted as to his own prophecies about the Lord’s soon coming with His saints in those first-century days. Perhaps Enoch / Melchisedec was even the “angel” (messenger) comforting and strengthening Christ in Gethsemane to fulfill His role in becoming the ultimate High Priest after the order of Melchisedec. Just a thought.
Greetings Patricia and thank you for reading and for for taking the time to comment. Lord bless you.
Concerning Enoch, the Scriptures seem to make it clear that he did die. Peter tells us that only eight souls were saved through the Flood (1Peter 3:20). If Enoch was saved through the Flood, I believe the text would have said so. Moreover, it is said of Melchizedek that he was “without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life” (Hebrews 7:3). According to Genesis 5 Enoch was born to Jared (his father) and begat Methuselah (his son). There seems to be too many hurdles one must jump through to say Enoch is Melchizedek and that he never died, for it is appointed to all men that they must die once (Hebrews 9:27).
While I agree with you that “of whom we have many things to say…” has to do with Melchizedek, but we need to keep in mind that Paul isn’t interested in writing the accolades of anyone but Jesus in this epistle. Early Jews assumed it was Shem. Early Christians thought it might be an angel, and some thought he was superior to Christ. Lots of opinions and all untrue, as far as I’m concerned. It is all a guessing game, but if guesses amount to anything at all, it is my understanding that Melchizedek is Jesus before the days of his flesh (John 1:14).
It is a real stretch to say Enoch was still living in the first century AD. There’s no proof of that, not one iota of evidence. I hope I’m not being unkind here, but I do have to disagree with you on this.
Lord bless you, Patricia.