7 During his earthly life Christ offered both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through the things he suffered. 9 And by being perfected in this way, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, 10 and he was designated by God as high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

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A puzzling question: Why did a perfect Jesus need to learn obedience? Regarding learning obedience, the “loud cries and tears” were likely in the Garden of Gethsemane when He asked The Father to take away the suffering, but then accepted it in obedience saying, “not my will but Thine be done.” Jesus had never experienced suffering as a man so never had an opportunity to demonstrate obedience in suffering. It is true that Jesus “learned obedience” so that He could fully experience humanness and thereby represent us. I believe, beyond that, He set an example for us of complete obedience, that is, full submission to God’s will. We suffer and need to learn to obey – whether that’s a debilitating health issue, giving up a dream, etc. Jesus shows us how to perfectly suffer and perfectly obey God’s will. 

Regarding “being perfected”, as Jesus learned obedience through suffering He was perfected (made complete) in His role as high priest to fully represent us before God as well as enable Him to demonstrate a perfect pattern of obedience to follow. And most of all, to “became the source [author] of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (v9). This is not a temporary deal with an expiration date and no booster shot needed!