Daily Bread 2010 - Hebrews 2
Hebrews 2
Warning to Pay Attention
1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The writer of Hebrews warns the audience to pay attention to what they have heard, so they do not drift away. There is a saying, “If you feel far from God guess who moved”. But the writer of Hebrews tells us that one of the ways we drift from God, is we don’t pay attention to what we have heard.
Then he reasons that if the message spoken by angels, possibly referring to the revelation of the law to Moses. (Deut. 33:2-3; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19) was authoritative, how much more would be the message that came from Jesus, God’s own Son. In Jewish culture for a message to be binding it needed a threefold witness. So you have Jesus’ own proclamation, the confirmation of those who heard it and finally God’s own stamp of approval with signs, wonders and miracles.
The writer warns the reader to pay attention to these things, so that they don’t drift away. There are many today who would fall into that category. We often call them “nominal Christians”, or “in-name only Christians”. Those are people who have not paid attention to what they have heard each Sunday in church, or seen what God has been doing in those who believe. They call themselves a Christian but don’t practice any of the things Jesus taught us.
Have you ever drifted away? What brought you back? I know the period of my senior year in high school until after I graduated from college was a period I drifted away. What brought me back was I missed the fellowship of being united with the Lord and also the community of His people. Also another Christian reached out to me an invited me to Church. He was a sign that God never gives up on us and is constantly drawing us to Himself often through other believers. But we can resist and not listen and drift away.
Despite the incredible signs done in the early Christian community and Church, this next generation was warned to listen to what Jesus said and the testimony of those who are being changed by His grace. Are you listening to the message God is speaking to you today? What is He saying to you? Will you listen and obey what you think He is calling you to do?
Dear Jesus thank you for calling us to Yourself by your becoming one of us. You know what it is like to be human and you were made perfect through own Your suffering as a human being just like us. Help us to pay attention to what You are saying to us and not drift away from the salvation you have given us as a free gift. Help us to follow You and experience the joy of eternal life every day. In Your name, Amen.
Warning to Pay Attention
1We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
The writer of Hebrews warns the audience to pay attention to what they have heard, so they do not drift away. There is a saying, “If you feel far from God guess who moved”. But the writer of Hebrews tells us that one of the ways we drift from God, is we don’t pay attention to what we have heard.
Then he reasons that if the message spoken by angels, possibly referring to the revelation of the law to Moses. (Deut. 33:2-3; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19) was authoritative, how much more would be the message that came from Jesus, God’s own Son. In Jewish culture for a message to be binding it needed a threefold witness. So you have Jesus’ own proclamation, the confirmation of those who heard it and finally God’s own stamp of approval with signs, wonders and miracles.
The writer warns the reader to pay attention to these things, so that they don’t drift away. There are many today who would fall into that category. We often call them “nominal Christians”, or “in-name only Christians”. Those are people who have not paid attention to what they have heard each Sunday in church, or seen what God has been doing in those who believe. They call themselves a Christian but don’t practice any of the things Jesus taught us.
Have you ever drifted away? What brought you back? I know the period of my senior year in high school until after I graduated from college was a period I drifted away. What brought me back was I missed the fellowship of being united with the Lord and also the community of His people. Also another Christian reached out to me an invited me to Church. He was a sign that God never gives up on us and is constantly drawing us to Himself often through other believers. But we can resist and not listen and drift away.
Despite the incredible signs done in the early Christian community and Church, this next generation was warned to listen to what Jesus said and the testimony of those who are being changed by His grace. Are you listening to the message God is speaking to you today? What is He saying to you? Will you listen and obey what you think He is calling you to do?
Dear Jesus thank you for calling us to Yourself by your becoming one of us. You know what it is like to be human and you were made perfect through own Your suffering as a human being just like us. Help us to pay attention to what You are saying to us and not drift away from the salvation you have given us as a free gift. Help us to follow You and experience the joy of eternal life every day. In Your name, Amen.
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