I was surprised when, in his denial of the crucifixion of Christ, his death, burial, and victorious resurrection, a Muslim friend read to me Hebrews 5:7.
‘During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission’ (Hebrews 5:7).
At first glance, it sounds like it might mean Jesus was saved from dying, but we see something deeper when we read it in context, both with the rest of Hebrews and the Gospels. Jesus was not delivered from death, but through death by being resurrected.
This aligns with the broader message of Hebrews, which emphasizes obedience through suffering (Hebrews 5:8), submission to God's will (Hebrews 10:7), and victory over death through resurrection (Hebrews 2:14).
Hebrews 5:7 does not mean that Jesus was rescued from dying. It means He was heard, not by being spared from death but raised from the dead. His reverent submission and obedience were accepted and glorified through suffering.
Let’s cross-reference it for clarity. How about Philippians 2:8-9: “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him...”
My Muslim friend’s compassion for Jesus reminds me of Peter’s discourse with Jesus (Matthew 16). Such a compassion offends God and even makes the Prophets and Jesus liars who predicted this. We should look not only at his crucifixion and death, but also at his victorious resurrection (Luke 24:44-47; Revelation 1:18).
Compassion towards Jesus' suffering should also acknowledge his resurrection, highlighting the importance of viewing the entirety of his sacrifice and triumph rather than just the crucifixion.