Hebrews 5:7 “Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.”
To say that Jesus feared His Father in Heaven is a big statement to make, especially because as the Son of God He is part of the Holy Trinity. Some may reason: why would Jesus, being God, fear God? It appears in this verse that Jesus feared Himself. Even the Jews accused Jesus of blasphemy for saying that God was His Father and making Himself equal with God (John 5:18).
However, when Jesus Christ took upon Himself human flesh, He submitted Himself to God the Father as all sons should submit themselves to their own fathers. Every son should respect his natural father, even if his father does not do things worthy of respect. We must always honor the office of fatherhood even as we honor the office of the president. God holds people accountable for their disrespect for those who have authority over them, even if those people do not do things that are worthy of respect.
David knew that God had anointed him to be king of Israel. However, even those he had several miraculous opportunities to kill Saul. he would not touch him. He left him in the hands of God. David greatly honored the anointed office of kingship.
We are living in days of great disrespect and dishonor. People, to their own peril, mouth off disrespectfully to all who are in authority. However, they will not be blessed by God for this disrespect of leadership and those over them. In this matter we must all fear God and fear respectfully all who are in authority over us.
Romans 13:1-5: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? Do that which is good, and thou shall have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.”
Some may say that it is more correct to say that Jesus loved His Father God, rather than feared Him However, our opening Scripture in Hebrews 5:7 plainly states the “he was heard in that he feared.”
Love can be righteous or unrighteous. For example, we are told to “Love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might” and to love thy neighbor as thyself (Deuteronomy 6:5 and Mark 12:33). But we are also told to not love the world, the flesh, and the devil (1 John 2:15-17).
We are told in Scripture many times to fear God, to be in awe, to tremble at His Word and at the same time we are told that “perfect love casteth out fear” (1 John 4:18). Even when seeking to please God we can be overcome by unrighteous fears such as the fear of man, the fear of death, destruction, and judgment. However, God’s perfect love casts out these fears.
The reason Jesus always had his prayers answered was because He feared His father. He never ever wanted to displease the One who had all authority over him. This is the true essence of fearing God—we fear to displease Him or offend Him in anyway because we love Him.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell