Each Thursday we will take a few minutes to examine three thoughts (or bullets) from the book of Hebrews. We encourage you to read the text, and consider the bullet points. Then join us in a simple prayer.
1. THE SON IS THE MEDIATOR OF THE NEW (AND BETTER) COVENANT
Prior to chapter 2 the author spent a significant amount of time making the case that the Son is better than the angels. But why? As George Guthrie writes, the author is utilizing a tool from rabbinic homiletics - an argument from lesser to greater. He writes, “Punishment received for rejecting what God spoke through angels under the old covenant constitutes the ‘lesser’ situation in this case. The idea of the angels as mediators of the divine revelation on Mount Sinai had gained special attraction to Judaism in the Greek-speaking synagogues of the Mediterranean world.”
Likewise, Moses alludes to this in his blessing of the Israelites before his death in Deut 33:2 when he says, “He came with myriads of holy ones (angels)...”
Again, the apostle Paul writes, “The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator.” (Gal 3:19)
Dealing with sin was never taken lightly by God. Instead, every violation received a just punishment. If that was true of the old covenant, which the author has established as the ‘lesser’ , how much more so will it be true of the Messiah’s new covenant!
Guthrie writes, “That one finds scriptural precedent in God’s punishment of the disobedient in the lesser situation provides a basis for the assumption that even more severe punishment will be forthcoming in the greater.”*
2. WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO REMAIN COMMITTED
This is perhaps understood better in it’s negative form. The word rendered “ignore” (NIV) or “neglect” (ESV) means to neglect through apathy or, to not care enough about something (similarly used in 1 Tim 4:14). Thus, those who care so little about the word of salvation (through the new covenant) that they neglect it will find no escape.*
Instead, as the author urges in 2:1, “we must pay careful attention to what we have heard.”
“Some of the Christians the author addresses were living on the edge of the community, slowly slipping away from a firm commitment to the message of salvation.” * In the face of such dangerous drifting, the author calls believers to a personal commitment to remain steadfast in their faithfulness.
3. THE ANSWER LIES IN THE WORD OF SALVATION (THE GOSPEL)
The author's remedy to drifting from the faith was simple - to “pay careful attention to what we have heard,” and in this there is great application for us today. It would be easy to drift away from our faith, especially in a time of social isolation when meeting with fellow believers is difficult. Indeed, there are many reasons we could become apathetic in our pursuit of a relationship with Jesus: perhaps we are discouraged by our surroundings, embittered by health problems or financial losses, or hardened by unconfessed sin. But, the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ beckons us to continually refocus our attention away from ourselves and towards him. For, “He is the author and perfecter of our faith.” (Heb 12:2)
In another epistle, The apostle Paul exhorts the Philippian church to, “continue to work out your faith with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Phil 2:12b-13) This is good advice for us today. Let us turn away from our selfishness and towards the Son, who “is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Heb 1:3).
PRAYER:
Dear Lord,
Today is a difficult day. I am isolated, lonely and hurting.
Forgive me for the ways that I have been apathetic towards you, Jesus.
Help me not to dwell on my own situation, nor wallow in self-pity. Instead, turn my eyes towards you, and as the old hymn says; “look full, in your wonderful face. For the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of your glory and grace.”
Amen
*Guthrie, George H.. Hebrews (The NIV Application Commentary Book 15) (p. 84). Zondervan Academic. Kindle Edition.