Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

Encouragement for the Family of God by Kenton Cheek

8 November 2025

Reading From Hebrews 5

“So also Christ did not exalt himself to be made a high priest, but was appointed by him who said to him, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”; as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.”

—Hebrews 5:5-10

     Jesus is fully God and, coming to Earth as a baby born of the virgin Mary, He became fully man.  As an infant, then a child, then a teenager and a man, Jesus learned and grew.  Luke 2:52 tells us, “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”  If Jesus is God, then how and why did He learn obedience?  We believe that God is infinite and all-knowing and therefore has no need to learn anything.  He already knows it.  Jesus humbled Himself to become man.  He laid aside the trappings of His majesty to be born in a lowly stable and laid in a manger.  Philippians 2:5-11 reveals,

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

This passage in Philippians shows us that Jesus is fully God who became fully man; the Son of God, the Son of Man.  As a man he did learn and grow, but the reason the Father exalted Him was not somehow part of an eternal progression for Christ to become God, rather the Son had condescended to become man and therefore was exalted at His ascension to take His rightful place He has had from everlasting to everlasting as God the Son.  The God that we worship is the Triune Godhead, three in one, God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit; “God in three Persons, blessed Trinity.”[1] 

“Heavenly Father, guide us by Your Spirit into a deeper understanding of Your truth.  Reveal Yourself in power and glory to Your children.  We long to see Your face and revel in the light and warmth of Your Presence.  We praise, honor and glorify Your holy Name.  I am so very grateful that You came to Earth and lived Your life here as a perfect example of life and godliness for me to follow.  Give me fresh perspective on Your nature, which is filled with love, grace and mercy for those who follow You.  In the matchless Name of Jesus Christ I pray these things.  Amen.”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

—John 1:1-5

“Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

—John 8:58

Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.

—Psalm 90:1-2

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

—Isaiah 9:6

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

—Daniel 7:13-14

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[1] “Holy, Holy, Holy,” Reginald Heber, 1826