Hebrews – Page 10 – Be Still…

Hebrews 10:32-39 – Patient Endurance

“Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ.” Some of us don’t remember that day because Jesus has always been a part of our lives. Yet others of us have a distinct moment when all the dots connected and we knew we had finally met the one who would change our lives forever. No matter what your “coming to Jesus” experience is, the good news is we are here. Keep focused on the joy and overflowing blessing we have for being Christ followers.

Many are not. Many are still moving around aimlessly in life unsure of their purpose or destiny. Are you like me, desperate to be more of a light in the darkness? Maybe you’re still lost in the darkness, looking toward the light wondering how it is possible that God can love you? Our message for hope comes from John 3:16, (paraphrased) God loves us so much that he sent his Son Jesus to save us all. Are you ready for that salvation?

Continue reading “Hebrews 10:32-39 – Patient Endurance”

Hebrews 10:26-31 – Heart Check

Read Hebrews 10:26-31

So many times we go through the motions of life. There are so many things we do on autopilot, like brushing our teeth or combing our hair. Sometimes things like this are done without giving much thought to them. You don’t even necessarily put them on your To-Do List because you just know to do them.

How often do we sin and not know it? Every day. Those sins are not “deliberate” as the author describes. I was a little frightened by these words, “if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins.” That seems pretty clear and final. No sacrifice will cover those sins. After some reflection, I realized these would be the sins we do on purpose or do even though we know they are sinful. That’s a whole different story. Continue reading “Hebrews 10:26-31 – Heart Check”

Hebrews 10:19-25 – Truly Blessed

Read Hebrews 10:19-25

We are free and forgiven. We can boldly come before God because of what Jesus has done for us. Such a gift and a privilege. It’s a day to look forward to and not fear. If we picture Jesus there waiting for us with open arms it is much easier. I certainly don’t want to rush that day to come because there is so much more I want to experience in this life. To have the assurance of life beyond death is something some people don’t have. That is tragic.

God has given us a beautiful world in which to live and enjoy. Sometimes I take that for granted. How about you? Each day is a gift. To be able to open our eyes and see, to listen to the sounds of nature, to smell all the delightful aromas. To let our senses be overwhelmed. For all of that and more, I am grateful. Continue reading “Hebrews 10:19-25 – Truly Blessed”

Hebrews 10:1-18 – Sins Forgotten

Read Hebrews 10:1-18

We’re moving through the book of Hebrews and there is a lot of emphasis on Jesus being our high priest. His sacrifice was once and done. He will not have to die again. Remember, some of the young Christians had been Jews just moments before. Their heritage had been a yearly sacrifice. Each year you’d be reminded of your sins as the sacrifices were made and the high priest entered the Most Holy Place.

You can’t just change a person’s experience or understanding of forgiveness overnight. This is a process. It may be hard for us, too, to imagine how the shedding of Jesus’ blood could be the perfect sacrifice. There are a lot of us sinners in the world now and across the span of time. There will be many more in the days ahead. We, too, need to wrap our head around the fact that God came to live and die. His death redeemed us. Continue reading “Hebrews 10:1-18 – Sins Forgotten”

Hebrews 9:11-28 – The Perfect Sacrifice

Read Hebrews 9:11-28

There is a lot of talk about blood in this reading. Personally, I’m not a fan of blood. I’ve never actually passed out, but I do get queasy. I would not make a very good nurse. But the focus here is not on injury or gore, but on purification and sacrifice. For us to be worthy of God’s presence, we need to be pure and holy. How do we get that way? It’s nothing we can accomplish on our own. We need Jesus, our perfect sacrifice.

As I’ve said before, the book of Hebrews was originally written to help the new Jewish Christians understand the immensity of what had happened thanks to the blood of Jesus. He writes, “For without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.” Wait a minute, can’t there be forgiveness between humans without bloodshed? I think the statement is a bit over the top. Suffice it to say, however, that our forgiveness from God is dependent on Jesus’ sacrifice for us. The new covenant came with a price. Jesus paid that price.

Jesus has gone on ahead to the Father. He only had to die once, just as we only die once. What happens after we die? Many fear death because of the uncertainty. It probably comes down to a lack of trust. It may be due to fear. We know we are sinners, and what will happen when we “meet our Maker?” That can certainly elicit fear in the hearts of those who are not totally devoted to Jesus.

When we walk closely with our Savior, spending time in the Word and in prayer, we can have the assurance of what happens next. What eternity looks like in detail, we don’t need to know. We simply put our trust in Jesus to lead us home. Our destiny is to stand before God. His judgment will come.

Have we prepared well? Have we lived our lives pleasing him? Because of what Jesus has done for me, I want only to live a life that pleases God, striving to be more and more like Jesus every day, living with a servant’s heart, knowing without a doubt that Jesus is my truth and way. On that day when I stand boldly before God, I will have Jesus by my side and be overflowing with the gratefulness. He will welcome me home.

When will Jesus come again to take us home? I don’t know. But I know he will. He said so.

Let’s pray. Lord thank you for the blood you shed for me. May I never take for granted the great sacrifice you made. It is because of you that I will be able to live forever with you in your kingdom. What a glorious day that will be when I am reunited with you. You have placed me here to serve you, to love, to be like you, and to tell others about you. Continue your work in me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.