(For a sermon on Matthew 21:18-32)

We have a saying that “The burned hand learns best.” What we mean by it is that sometimes, we have to actually experience pain or problems before we are willing to listen. We’ve all been through this as children. Our parents tried to explain certain dangers to us. They wanted to protect us from harm. They wanted to spare us pain. However, for whatever reason, we didn’t believe what they said or we thought that we were immune from what they tried to warn us about. As a result we ignored what they said; we disobeyed and found out the hard way that what they tried to tell us was true.

I’m sure that most of us have also experienced the frustration of having our own children do the same to us. Not long ago our daughter confessed to us that our telling her as a child not to touch the stove because it would burn her, only made her want to touch it. Knowing that our children have that tendency, sometimes we as parents deliberately keep quiet because we know that our kids have to learn something on their own. We don’t want our kids to be hurt; we don’t want them to suffer, but we know in this particular circumstance, to say anything will only make them want to disobey. They have to learn obedience the hard way.

Unfortunately, even when our children are compliant and want to obey, there are times when we have to let them experience pain and suffering in order to spare them from worse difficulties later. For example, I’m sure we all remember being the “meanies” who wouldn’t let our kids do something they really wanted to do until they finished their homework. No, we didn’t enjoy watching them suffer, but we knew that the pain was necessary in order to reap the reward of good grades.

No when we think of Jesus, we normally don’t think of Him having to learn anything. After all, He is God in the flesh. For example, Scripture says that, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word…” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV)

Because of this we consider it almost sacrilegious to suggest that Jesus was once less than perfect. The fact is that Jesus did have to learn something, and he was not able to perfectly fulfill the role of Savior until he had learned it. In Hebrews 5:7-9 it says, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him…” (NIV)

Yes, Jesus had to learn obedience. The difference between Him and us is that He never disobeyed. Unlike us in relation to our parents, He was always submissive to the will of the Heavenly Father. Yet, obedience did not come easy. There were times when His Father required Him to do what was hard and painful, in order to make a later reward possible.

Jesus learned obedience through what he suffered. It’s easy to be obedient when things are going the way we want them. But the real test comes when we are told to do something we don’t want to do. Jesus prayed that he would not have to die. The text says that he was heard. Ultimately Jesus was saved from death. He rose on the third day. But his prayer to be spared from having to die was answered with a “No!” It’s in those times when we are told, “no” that we learn to obey. It was his obedience which made Jesus perfect for the work of saving us.

The unleavened bread which symbolizes Christ’s broken body and the juice which symbolizes Christ’s blood, remind us each week of His obedience. More than that, the emblems are a personal reminder that we, too, are called to be obedient. Jesus told his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” (John 15:9-10 NIV)

As we look back over the last week, I’m sure we are all aware that our obedience hasn’t been perfect. We often fall short of what we should be. Learning the lesson of obedience is not easy. But let’s not be discouraged. These emblems not only remind us of the need for obedience, but of Jesus’ love. We have another chance. We can confess our failures and move on. Let’s use this opportunity to rededicate ourselves to learning the lesson of obedience and remaining in Christ’s love.