The previous verses show how God's Great High Priest was appointed (Hebrews 5:1-6). These verses show that Jesus continued to be in submission to the Father. It may seem strange that Jesus who is God the Son - co-equal with God the Father and the Holy Spirit - should submit to God the Father. It was a not a power contest but a real relationship choice, as should happen in the church: Ephesians 4:21 says, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ". The Lord Jesus exercised His High Priestly function by passionately praying for His disciples, His torturers and Himself as He faced the cross so that by His blood, He might intercede for sinners (Isaiah 53:12).

In Gethsemane, Jesus said, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39) and then, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." (Matthew 26:42). Those prayers were not a mark of weakness or inferiority: they demonstrated His willingness to submit Himself to the Father's will. He chose obedience to the Father as a lifestyle, but in practicing obedience, He learned its personal cost. He only perfected, or completed, His obedience by doing it.

The effect of Christ's obedience was profound. His willing submission to torture and death opened the way of salvation for all who would trust in Him. He was the Great High Priest who was authorized to offer His own blood as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. The 'Order of Melchizedek' was a perpetual priesthood: it did not end with His death. It was also a Kingly Priesthood, like that of Melchizedek who ruled [Jeru]Salem and was also its High Priest (Genesis 14:18-20). Because of the nature of Christ's Priesthood, all who trust in Him are made a kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6; Revelation 1:6). We will reign with the Lord (2 Timothy 2:12) and intercede with the Father through the blood of the Son. That final destiny for the church is only possible because God the Son chose to obey God the Father.

Our human scale of values probably sees submission as being on the wrong end of a power struggle. That is not what God intends: for Him and for us the Bible paints it as a relationship choice, which results in blessing for those who are willing to be obedient. The Bible applies it to marriage (Ephesians 5:25-26), the church (Ephesians 5:21; Hebrews 13:17), civic society (Romans 13:1), and God Himself (James 4:7). That is why the Bible also speaks against arrogant pride and hatred (James 3:14-16) – these undermine the principle of submission and block God's blessing. Wonderfully we still have the atoning sacrifice of Jesus to cover our sins, and as we repent of our failure to submit, He is still our High Priest whose obedience will pay for our disobedience. So let us reset our view of ourselves so that we become like Jesus Christ in nature, and learn to be obedient so that we can be His agents of blessing.