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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Becky Harcourt and are based on Hebrews 2 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
Romans 8:1-17
1 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he
suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
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Sunday September 1 - Don’t drift away
We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so
thatwedonotdriftaway. Hebrews2:1
Following on from last week, looking at the first chapter of Hebrews, the second chapter begins with a warning that we must pay careful attention to what we’ve heard. What is it that we’ve heard? It’s the superiority of Jesus and how, among other amazing things, God the Father sent him to provide purification for sins – and now that’s been accomplished, Jesus is once again in heaven, sitting at God’s right hand.
We need to stay firmly anchored to that truth, so we don’t get distracted and ‘drift away’. That truth is life for us. Paying attention to who Jesus is and what he’s done sets us free from guilt and shame; knowing him as our Saviour is the beginning of discovering our true potential in him. It’s how we begin to develop the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), growing in love, joy and peace which, together with the other virtues, describe the character of Jesus. Alongside this, we begin to grow in the gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12), which were part of Jesus’ ministry.
We also need to pay attention to this truth to escape the just punishment which would be ours if not for Jesus sacrificing himself in our place. Jesus has done everything that is required for our salvation, our life and eternity. We only need to say our “yes” to him!
Thank you, Father, for sending Jesus. Help us to stay firmly connected to him, not drifting away, but drawing ever closer to him. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY