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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise The author of Hebrews said that in these last days you have spoken to me by your Son, Jesus Christ. He is the appointed heir of all things and the one through whom you created the world. He is the radiance of your glory and the exact imprint of your nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. I praise you today for Jesus, the one who made purification for my sins! He is superior to all things, and by his sacrifice I have eternal life. Glory to the Son of God! Today in Your Word Today you shared with me the first part of Hebrews, an anonymous letter to the Christian community in Rome. The believers in Rome had recently gone through a time of persecution. Some of them had lost their property, while others had been imprisoned. Many of them were discouraged and in danger of falling away from faith in Christ. Knowing this, the author of Hebrews warned his readers of the peril of unbelief and urged them to endure to the end by faith. He did this by proving the superiority of Jesus and his covenant, and then calling the believers to remain firm in their commitment to Christ. The author began by showing that the OT proclaims the Messiah to be the Son of God (Ps 2; 45; 110). This means that Jesus is better than the angels, for they are ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of the saints (Heb 1:14). This teaches me that I should pay very close attention to what Jesus has said, lest I drift away from it. “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” (Heb 2:2–3). The author continued by showing that the OT also proclaims the Messiah to be the son of man (Ps 8:4–6; Heb 2:9). As man, Jesus was made lower than the angels for a little while, but now he is crowned with glory and honor, and all things will be put in subjection under his feet. His incarnation means that he is flesh and blood just like me, and his obedient suffering qualified him to be my High Priest. He made propitiation for my sins, and because he himself suffered when tempted, he is able to help me when I am tempted. Praise the Lord! The author then showed that Jesus is superior to Moses (Heb 3:1). Moses was a faithful servant in your house, but Jesus was faithful over your house as Builder and Son. If I remain faithful, like Moses, then I will be a part of Jesus’ house. But if I fall away, like those Moses led from Egypt, then I will not enter your rest. This is why the author said, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Heb 3:12). This teaches me to fear the danger of unbelief, for if I harden my heart, then I too will hear those terrible words, “They shall not enter my rest” (Ps 95:11). I must strive each day to enter your rest by faith, so that I will not fall by the same sort of disobedience (Heb 4:11). Reflection The people who saw the greatest miracles in human history were the very ones whose bodies fell in the wilderness (Heb 3:17). This means that great signs and outpourings of your Spirit are not a guarantee of salvation. If I don’t receive the gospel with a heart of steadfast faith, I will share the same tragic fate. Request Father, you said that I should fear coming short of entering your rest (Heb 4:1). Help me to take your warnings seriously and to strive with all my might to enter the Kingdom by faith. Thanksgiving Thank you for the good news which was first announced by Jesus Christ, and which has been confirmed to me through your Spirit (Heb 2:3–4). Hallelujah for the saving grace of the Son! In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Hold Fast” – Barney E. Warren. Meditation Verse: Hebrews 2:1. |