July 3, 2021 — A Study on the Book of Hebrews

“Therefore we must pay greater attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. For if the message declared through angels was valid, and every transgression or disobedience received a just penalty, how can we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard him, while God added his testimony by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, distributed according to his will.” Hebrews 2:1-4

“Therefore. This word always points us back to what was previously said. To the superiority of Jesus’ message and to his being. What the author is going to tell us flows out of that. I listen when my wife shares her day with me. It is important in the sense that she is important to me and it allows me to participate in her life. But there is no expectation that I am going to retain everything I hear. And I generally to not have to act on it. But when my surgeon talks to me about the potential issues with my surgery, and what I need to do to recover quickly and well, I listen differently. I pay attention. What he is saying to me is very important.” (“A Warning to Pay Attention – Hebrews 2:1-4” November 15, 2019 by Ed Jarrett)

The audience of this letter is most likely Jewish Christians, most likely living in Jerusalem. And it appears that these followers are beginning to falter in their belief that Jesus was the long-expected Messiah. Since Jesus was not the “militaristic” Messiah expected, many must have begun to question that Jesus was the right guy. As such, the author of Hebrews is exhorting them to stand firm in the faith. He is afraid of “faith-drift” — the same faith-drift that is endemic in our society today. If G-d does not answer our prayers right now, we cease in praying. If G-d does not solve our problems today, we find a different “messiah” — one whose instructions and promises fit our own world-view. That is why the author is so adamant that we do not drift away from the words of promise about Jesus. When things do not go our way, we need to trust, to persevere, to endure, and to keep on believing — with the help of the Holy Spirit.

After this pandemic, too many people are drifting in doubt, despair and pain. We have lost so much – jobs, stability, daycare – division seems to be all around us, whether it is political thinking, medical advice, or religious practice.

I believe it is past time that we begin to pay attention to what G-d is saying in our lives, and how G-d is working in our lives. It is time to pay attention – because what the Holy Spirit is speaking to you and to me is very, very important.

Pastor Dave