Jesus warned the people of Israel that the failure to turn their hearts to God and their violent rebelliousness would lead to severe persecution by the Romans, culminating in the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. The letter to the Hebrews was written just a few years before Jesus’ warning became reality and Jerusalem was destroyed. The letter was addressed to a Christian community that, faced with persecution, was turning away from faith in Christ and returning to their Jewish heritage. The author’s purpose is to show that Christ is superior in every way and to encourage the people to hold firm in their faith.
In this opening chapter Jesus is presented as the exact likeness of God. Looking back to creation the author presents Jesus as the climax of all God has done to redeem the world. The author is challenging the readers to not only hold onto their faith, but to go deeper into the person of Jesus.
In every society there is a huge temptation to see ourselves as just a part of the mass. Instead of being proactively involved in society the temptation is to leave the leading and governing to others. This temptation is even stronger in the church where congregations become idle and allow others to do the praying, studying, and serving. The great danger in yielding to this temptation is that we will begin to drift farther and farther away from the Kingdom of God. When we find ourselves drifting aimlessly in a sea of confusion it is pretty easy to turn away from our faith.
The great challenge of this letter is to take ownership, take responsibility for proactively yielding our lives to God that Christ may be formed within us.
What word or phrase in these verses
attracts your attention?
Reflect on that word or phrase.
What insights come to you?
How does this passage touch your life today?
18-Feb-12 Heb. 2:5-3:19
No comments:
Post a Comment