Galleries

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.  Hebrews 2:1

 Because of everything that was just said in Chapter 1, the author urges, “we must pay closer attention to what we’ve heard.’   The message is this ~ Because Jesus was not an angel..  Because Jesus was God…  Because Jesus created the earth…. Because His story, His words, His death and resurrection are paramount to our faith….let these truths move us from just interesting facts to precious and lifesaving realities.  Whether or not his audience (persecuted Jews) listened and heeded his pleas would make such a difference in how they faced the pressures of being outcasts in society.  With their lives at stake, they really needed to be convinced of everything Jesus said.

Whose words do you value?  What makes them important to you?  Did they come from someone who held a prestigious position, or from someone who had a breadth of experience that made them wise?  Perhaps they came from someone you love ~ someone who was precious to you.  Think of it.  That is why we quote famous people.  That is why we quote the elderly who lived well over a lifetime and why we remember the words of those we love the most.

Then there are someone’s last words. I think we all hope that the people we love will say things they need to say before slipping away, something they know we need to hear or they need to confess.  Someone’s last words are important and always internalized, then tucked away, never to be forgotten.

Reviewing all this, I wonder why I’m not quicker to quote Jesus in conversations. “That reminds me, do you know that Jesus said….” doesn’t come out of my mouth often enough.  Out of all people I reference, shouldn’t His words be among the most quoted?  When I choose to be quiet about someone I profess to hold dear, shouldn’t that make me question my affection or how deeply I am persuaded?

The writer of Hebrews says that we must not let important things about Christ drift away.  The picture is one of a piece of pottery that is not carefully made. Consequently, water slips through the cracks, falls to the ground, and is no longer useful or recoverable.  I’ve had seasons where the Word was spoken and went over my shoulder.  I didn’t grab it and value it enough to make it mine.  I didn’t consider it life-saving to me.  How things have changed.  I’ve gotten very picky about my inner world and what I put inside.  I guess that goes with getting older.  Today, I’m more resolved to remember that I am called, in scripture, ‘an earthen vessel.’  Sounds like pottery.  I must let the Potter fashion it as He wishes so that it is well made and nothing of the kingdom leaks out and is prove useless.

Speak.  I’m listening for gold.  Amen

 

You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”  Hebrews 1:10-12

Yes, these verses are beautiful in just their poetry.  Songs have been written from them and Fernando Ortega’s is my favorite.  But the deep beauty and power of this passage lies behind the words. It’s all in the implications of how the writer reached back to quote a Psalm.

Here’s how the history of it unfolds.  Hang with it till the end to join me in finding gold.

1. The writer of Hebrews spent this chapter talking about Jesus and how much more excellent He is than angels. The topic is Jesus.
2. To put spiritual dynamite behind his point, He reaches back to quote this section of Psalm 102, a Psalm about God in the power of creation.
3. Perhaps he has stopped talking about Jesus and started talking about God.
4. No! He’s continued to talk about Jesus by saying that it is ‘He’ who laid the foundation of the earth.
5. The point ~ He takes a Jewish text from the Old Testament, a passage about God and one the Jews are familiar with, and by inference – inserts Jesus’ name into it. He wants there to be no mistake about the point he attempts to make. Jesus is God.  God is Jesus.  No angel’s name belongs in these verses!
6. Since all scripture is God-breathed, God used the writer of Hebrews to give us the true identity of Jesus. While it was announced throughout the Gospels, it has new significance when a book written to the Jews, by a Jew, quotes a Jewish text to describe Jesus Christ.

He is God.  No mere angel.

No angel ever laid the foundation of the earth.  They are creatures, not creators.

No angel can claim the heavens as the work of their hands.  They have not fashioned anything.

No angel can declare himself eternal.  He exists by permission of his Creator.

No angel can roll up the heavens like a garment.  Their power is conferred, not self-generated.

Jesus, You are worthy of my worship. You are to be exalted.  You are God and Your name is above all other names. Hallelujah.  

But to the Son, [he said], Your throne, God, is forever and ever, and the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.  Hebrews 1:8 

Angels are around the throne but only a King will take up His seat upon it.  God calls Jesus ‘God’ and refers to the throne as His throne. And there-in lies the difference between cults and Christianity.  Cults cannot accept that Jesus is God and they will twist passages quite artfully.  They’ll even change a word in a text to alter the obvious claims of Jesus’ deity.

God, in this stunning affirmation of His Son’s identity, also characterizes His leadership.  ‘Your scepter is a scepter of justice.’  Is this yet to be proven since Christ has not yet come back on earth to rule as King?   Hardly.  God needs only review Jesus’ thirty-three years here on earth.  He reminisces that His Son loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. His passion for one and disdain for the other was obvious every single moment that He lived. In public and in private.  Not only did He never sin in His actions, He never sinned in His thoughts.  He was tempted by Satan, true, but the idea of sin was repelling.

Is it possible for me to be so close to Jesus that the very idea of sin repels me?   I wonder if such a day will come when, every single time, I will hate the thought of it.  Temptations usually appeal because of what sin offers.  Instant gratification.  That’s the allure. Waiting on God can be so unappealing and deferred hope is the harder choice.  I can grit my teeth and choose the righteous way but the only way I genuinely want what Jesus wants is through a heart change I can’t generate on my own.  I am like the child who was told to sit down.  He replied, “I’ll sit but I’m standing on the inside.”  I am often that child who does the right thing but secretly relishes disobedience.

The bracelet, ‘What would Jesus do?’ causes me to consider His choice in my situation.  But righteousness and lawlessness go beyond behavior.  While doing the right thing impresses some people, God sees everything behind it.  He knows what I really think and what I really want.  He knows how I weigh my love for him against the enjoyment I’ll get by sinning.  For Jesus, it was no contest.  He loved His Father, He loved righteousness, and He was holy – without sin.

Lord, I will be tempted to love myself today more than I love You.  By Your Word and by Your Spirit, make my heart like Yours.  I will be tempted where I’m weak so go ahead of my choices with Your grace.  Amen

And about the angels He says: He makes His angels winds, and His servants a fiery flame. Hebrews 1:7

Angels are God’s ministers.  They are like the wind; forceful and unseen.  They are like fire; formidable and powerful.  They are under God’s sovereign control and it is ‘He’ who makes the angels like wind and fire.  They do not shape their own likeness.  It is not in their power to do so.  They do not decide their mission.  It is not their place to do so.

God’s children can learn from angels.  They do not usurp authority from the One they worship.  They know their place.  Jesus is superior to them and they defer to Him.  It is their privilege to be His servants and messengers.

Yet, we assess our gifts and often decide how we are going to use them for God.  We use logic to discern all this but God’s way cannot be driven by logic…. not in the ways created beings can invent.  Faith and logic usually collide.  We serve God with our gifts by faith.

• If I have a hospitality gift, God’s plan might be for me to entertain one neighbor for coffee instead of hosting a Sunday School class for twenty. Numbers are not a compass for flawless decision making.  How will I know which one is His will unless I come to God in humility and ask Him to show me?
• If I have the gift of music, God’s plan might be for me to spend time at the piano quietly worshiping instead of ambitiously trying to gain an audience at church. I can quickly forget that my life is about God and me first.  If I don’t worship when I’m alone, how valuable will my public ministry be?
• If I have the gift of helps, God’s plan might be for me to help an enemy instead of a friend. Decisions can’t be made on the basis of who will appreciate it more.
• If I have the gift of mercy, God’s plan might be for me to see the need but then withhold comfort so that His hurting child will go to Him instead of to me. How often have I tried to lessen someone’s pain, all the while believing I am doing God’s work, when I am really obstructing it?  Idolatry is rampant when God’s children turn to each other by default.  Second hand faith never sustains.

Upon opening my eyes in the morning, my prayer will resemble that of the angels ~

“Good morning, Lord. I love you and this day is yours.  What do you have for me?  Guide every decision as I defer to You.  Amen”

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”?  Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”? And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”  Hebrews 1:5-6

• No angel has ever been born a son of God.
• No angel has ever been addressed as ‘my son’.
• No angel has ever heard, ‘Today I have begotten you.
• No angel has ever been given the privilege of hearing, “I will be to him a father.”
• No angel has ever been glorified and witnessed all other angels being told to worship him.

The world’s fascination with angels is due to the fact that they are invisible, yet all around us.  They bring supernatural intervention just outside the realm of the naked eye.  Mankind was designed to be a spiritual being, in contact, and connected to, the divine.  But angels were never meant to be the object of our quest.

• Jesus was born a son of God.
• Jesus did hear His Father address Him as ‘my Son.’
• Jesus did hear His Father declare that He was the Father’s begotten One.
• Jesus did claim to be God’s son.
• Jesus was glorified and became the object of heaven’s worship.

The world should be fascinated with Jesus.  He is invisible and He is present.  He brings supernatural intervention, yet outside the naked eye.  We were designed to be not only connected to Him but united to Him.  He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of our quest.

Why the disconnect?  Angels didn’t die in our place and tell us we needed a Savior.  Angels didn’t come to bring truth with a sword.  Angels didn’t tell people to stop sinning nor did they call anyone a sinner.  Angels never came to preach about hell.  Angels are safe to adore and the enemy is happy to use them to distract the world from the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

I am easily diverted from what I dread facing.  Every day, I’m inclined to put off the unpleasant.  How easy it is to focus on angels ‘who are close to Jesus’ but in no way betrothed with God’s child.

No angel has ever declared his love for me but You did.   Lover of my soul, You sent them to serve and to show me how much You love me.  My gaze is upon You.  Amen

Good morning,

I’ll be traveling to Colorado this week to speak at a conference and because of that, I’ll be out of my routine of studying and writing each morning.

Hebrews will continue after my return. As I was praying about what to send out, this series from a year ago seemed right.

An unprecedented number of you responded to this, as I recall, which showed me that the subject of spiritual yokes is extremely important. None of us likes the idea of being yoked to anyone or anything. The picture conjures up images of slavery and God did not create us to be bound to evil. The idea of a yoke repels. Yet, if a glorious deliverer promised any of us freedom from slavery, we would make a decision in a split second to be yoked to someone who loves and saves. That is what I must remember when I think of Jesus’ words about yokes. I needed a glorious Deliverer at salvation to yoke me to Himself. I am ‘in Christ.

I am not to be yoked ~
• To religion and live by others’ measuring stick. • To slavery and live by the demands of controllers. • To shame and live by the opinions of flawed people. • To the flesh and live like I did before I believed. • To deception and live by lies conceived at the gates of darkness

Jesus offers a glorious alternative. His yoke is easy because it’s love-driven. His yoke is gentle because it’s love-driven. His yoke is light because it’s love-driven. Tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the first of four yokes – the yoke of unbelief.

If God prompts you to pray for me and the men and women who will attend the 3 day conference in Colorado Springs, thank you. I hope each of us will see the power of God at work this week as His Spirit brings the kingdom to our world.

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son,today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?   Hebrews 1:5

The more intimate a relationship, the more exclusive the language.  While I respect many men for various reasons, I only have one husband.  I will describe Ron in ways that will be exclusive to him and my love language proves it.  The same for my children.  They hold a place in my heart that is only theirs and there is an exclusive language that accompanies that relationship. 

Why is the writer of Hebrews taking the time to describe the exclusive language between God and His Son, Jesus?  Isn’t this something I already know?   God is the Father; Jesus is the Son.  Yet, I am not Jewish and I was not part of their culture which historically held angels in high esteem.  Angels played a major part in the giving of the law and, in Jewish minds and hearts, angels were revered.  Perhaps Jewish believers were tempted to give angels and Jesus equal footing.  There’s a reason that so much of the first chapter is taken up with proving the supremacy of Christ. 

Jesus was the only one who heard God call Him ‘Son’.  Jesus was the only one whom God described as ‘begotten of God,’ holding the nature and essence of God Himself.  Jesus is the only One of whom His Father would say, “I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son.”  (A quotation from 2 Samuel 7:14 Hebrew’s author knew he must reach back into the Torah to authenticate his teaching.)

This message will continue to be unveiled over the next many verses and will be the topic of a week’s worth of devotionals.  Anticipating that, do I really grasp the importance of this and why is it imperative that I do? 

Scripture is built precept upon precept.  If I fail to understand one thing, many other things are at risk of being misunderstood.  If I miss the value of one truth, I miss out on the myriad of truths that are built on that original one.  If you’ve been a believer for a long time, you know exactly what I’m talking about.  Your faith today is built on the cumulative understanding of the basics. Scripture and doctrine hung on the understanding of the fundamentals. 

What’s at stake if I fail to realize the exclusive relationship between God and His Son?  So many things that are critical to my faith but on the list is the risk that I might not fully grasp the relationship between God and me!  Jesus is God’s Son and through Him, I became God’s daughter. Having been adopted in His family, I enjoy words of affection that angels never hear.  I live in the light of God’s favor and bask in the exclusive language between Father and child.  I’ve been given God’s name and Christ’s nature is being formed in me through the indwelling of His Spirit.  This is something angels will never experience.  They will never enjoy the wonder and privilege of calling God, Abba Father. 

Through You, Jesus, I have the right to be called a child of God. I’m learning from You how to relate to our Father.  Thank you for teaching me what love looks like in this exclusive relationship.  Amen

[Jesus], having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.  Hebrews 1:4

Very few angels appear to have names but we can usually name two who do. Gabriel and Michael.  Angels make up the host of heaven (numbered as the stars) and God is the Lord of this angel army.  Though their activity is mentioned in scripture, their names are missing and I have to believe it’s intentional.  Angels are not to be the focus.  The only name that matters is ‘Jesus’, their Creator.  There is no name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Yet, our world has a preoccupation with them and Satan applauds it. He doesn’t want the attention to be on Jesus lest our Lord might draw them to Himself.  The kingdom of darkness flaunts the work of the dark angels, called demons, though they don’t advertise them as dark unless you’re a hard-core Satanist. They are usually portrayed as spirits of light but we know they are false lights.

Satan, their leader, with his ability to trick and deceive, has sprinkled them with glitter and caused them to be able to beguile people.  Spirit guides, familiar spirits, and other mystical beings in the spiritual world fascinate the world and offer an encounter that stimulates the senses.  But, tragically, a widespread interest in Jesus, the Light of the world, is absent.  He is waved off with a shrug.

The word angel means messenger.  God’s angels are His messengers.  Isn’t the One who sent them to deliver a message or to serve a child of God the point of it all?  It would be like me getting flowers from someone who loves me but I become obsessed with the person who delivers them instead of the person who sent them.  The first thing one does when getting flowers is to find the card that came with them. The sender and the sentiments are what make it special.

The apostle Paul saw this foolishness in his day and warned the church at Colossae. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind.” Col. 2:18

God’s angels surely consider it a tragedy and would protest as they know their place.  What’s the tragedy when angels are glorified?  1.) They are grieved because they live to worship God and pray we’ll do the same.  2.) We are left wanting as we admire the messengers and ignore the One who sent them to love and serve us.  3.) We miss out on holy encounters with Jesus as angels aren’t involved in the work of sanctification.  The only One who can teach, encourage, convict, and save is God-Himself. 

Jesus – the name above all names – sits at the right hand of God today.  Around Him are angels who know their place and rejoice in the privilege of worshipping the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

One day, I will join them, Jesus, but I need not wait. You are central in my vision today.  Amen

After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.  Hebrews 1:4

The first five words ~ powerful words ~ and so simply said that they could get lost in some quick read of Hebrews.  Yet, in the history of this world, never were a few words more important.  Our greatest human need is to have our sins forgiven.  Without someone to forgive us and purify us, we face an eternity apart from God in a place of torment.  It is the future home of those who don’t want God.

Many have speculated about what the goodbye was like when Jesus left heaven and came to earth.  The coming separation between Father and Son had to be excruciating to face.  They both knew what Jesus was coming to do.  Atoning for the sins of the world lay in front of him and since God is not bound by time, the Trinity could look into the tomorrows and see them as if they had already happened.  They knew who would believe.  They knew who would betray.  They knew the fickleness of Jesus’ family.  They knew the many devices their enemy, Satan, would use to try to stop Jesus’ mission. 

While the goodbye had been difficult, going home was quite another scene.  Jesus ascended, left his disciples on a hillside, and was gone from them.  While absent from humanity, He was back in company with His father.  Were there tears of joy?  Did they both review 33 earth-years to try to capture the wonder of what just happened?  For them both, there had to be great relief and unfiltered joy.  From the time Adam and Eve sinned and left paradise, God knew His Son would die.  But, much of history needed to be lived before it was the right time for Jesus’ incarnation.  There was the agony of waiting amidst the carnage of animals being slaughtered in the temple.  There was the anticipation of a ‘once and for all’ sacrifice instead of a temporary covering of sin.  There was a longing in God’s heart for intimacy with His creation that only could transpire when the holy of holies was accessible.  

Mission accomplished was celebrated when Jesus returned and sat down at the right hand of His Father. The salvation of mankind was now possible and as I’m writing, I marvel that the world as a whole hasn’t recognized the gift and knelt before the feet of Jesus in gratitude.  Yet, before Jesus ever left heaven in the first place, He knew how few would want the gift.  He perceived the narrow gate and the wide gate.  He saw the throngs who would be incensed at the suggestion that they were sinners and needed a Savior.  But He also saw the ones who would hear The Story, see His glory, and believe.  The holy trinity, in celebration, could see one sinner, on his face, or on her knees, awestruck with the wonder of such a gift of redemption.  It was you and it was me.

Yes, before Jesus ever came, the God-head saw you. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit saw me.  They called us by name thousands of years before we lived and by grace, we heard the song.

I review the story and I tremble with wonder all over again.  Amen

In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son. God has appointed Him heir of all things and made the universe through Him. Hebrews 1:2

Jesus has been made heir of all things – which means that He has been made heir to everything on earth as well as everything in the galaxies and beyond.  And why shouldn’t He own it?  He created it. 

Those who possess wealth and power evoke an awe among the inhabitants of the earth.  Someone may be the richest man in the United States, or in England, or in China but when they die, they will leave it all.  And how puny is their estate when their influence is exercised over just a country or hemisphere.  They cannot rule the heavens nor did they have any part in speaking over empty space to create something.  

I am one of many who got up very early to watch the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.  It was pomp and circumstance at its finest.  Yet, how insignificant was it in contrast to our King Jesus sitting on His throne.  And wasn’t the pageantry dull compared to what it will be like at the future wedding feast of the Lamb.

God the Father said of His Son, Jesus, “You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Your inheritance, and the very ends of the earth as Your possession” Psalm 2:7-8 Jesus doesn’t just own land masses.  He owns humanity too, through His willingness to die to pay our ransom.  Though we are created beings, we were mutinous in our allegiance and became captives of His enemy.  At what great cost He made it possible for us to return home.  

I remember today that the One who is over all things has the power to keep His promises. No one can assure me of something that they don’t own or control.  Jesus has the power and authority to bring about each and every promise He has made. No matter how big or small, it’s not the slightest bit difficult.

I don’t feel that I need more good news than this but there is more.  Hebrews 2 will go on to announce that as His daughter, I am a joint-heir with Jesus.  What Jesus owns, He will share with me.  It’s really outrageous.  I am not powerful.  I am not a Creator.  I am not omnipotent.  I am not dazzling with glory.  I am a pauper made rich by the love of my Savior.  He is extravagant in what He chooses to give – whether forgiveness, abundant life, or the treasures of heaven. 

What can I say, Jesus?  No one gives more than You. I’ll never understand Your love.  Amen