Friday, 31 January 2020

The message of Hebrews 12

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Question of the day: What is the message of Hebrews 12?

Answer: Consider these phrases. "Let us run with endurance" (verse 1) and "that you may not grow weary" (verse 3). Why? Why endure and not grow weary? Because God loves us, He disciplines us. God is our spiritual trainer. He needs us in tip-top spiritual shape.

Hebrews 12:5b-7 "My son, do not take lightly the discipline of Adonai or lose heart when you are corrected by Him, because Adonai disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He accepts." It is for discipline that you endure. God is treating you as sons - for what son does a father not discipline?"

In fact, I would propose that if we are not disciplined by God, we are not really disciples. Hebrews 12:11 "Now all discipline seems painful at the moment - not joyful. But later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Let me ask you a question. Who is speaking in this verse? Who is the One? (Clue - I capitalized the "O" in One.) Hebrews 12:25a "See to it that you do not refuse the One who is speaking!". We will not ... Hebrews 12:25b "escape if we reject the One who warns us from heaven."

I close today with this verse from the Psalms. It is quoted in the New Testament (Hebrews 3:15) as well. Hear the Word of the Lord. Psalm 95:7 "For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the flock of His hand. Today, if you hear His voice ..."

And please (one really last word), don't miss the connection here to the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4ff), which Yeshua calls the greatest commandment. Especially the version in Mark 12:28-29.