Today in God's Word—August 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
August 27, Hebrews 2
I like to listen to the radio. I have a little radio that features remarkable sound quality and an excellent tuner. The tuner is designed to lock onto a station and hold it without drifting. I can tune to another station if I want to, but as long as I leave it set on a station, it will stay tuned.
Jesus is the focal point and main subject of the Scriptures. The writer of Hebrews quoted and alluded to familiar passages from the Psalms and the prophets again and again. Each time he did so, he told his readers, “This is all about Jesus, who he is, what he has done for us. Stay locked onto him.” From incarnation to glorification, the script for Messiah’s work had been written for centuries before Jesus was born into this world.
The fact that Jesus was born is a testimony to his identification with the human family he came to save. We are flesh and blood and destined to die. So he put on flesh and blood and died so we could overcome death and the fear of it and really live. He was a priest who offered himself for the people. Jesus suffered not for his sins, but for ours. Because he was tempted and suffered, he understands and is able to help us when we face temptation and suffering.
For all those reasons and more, we should be locked onto Jesus, the message of hope he brings and the salvation he offers. In one sense there is no competition, because no one, not even a mighty angel, is like him. But in another sense, we are bombarded with ideas and messages that compete with the truth to distract us from it. Today’s reading is not about the folly of intentionally abandoning the gospel; instead, it cautions us to pay attention lest we drift away from it. Drifting is gradual, unintentional and almost imperceptible. But unchecked, the effect of drifting is the same as deliberately turning away from Jesus.
Also, it’s not necessary to dramatically renounce our salvation; all we really have to do
is neglect it. Have you noticed it’s unnecessary to intentionally tear up a mechanical object or sabotage your health? Neglect is all that’s required to break something down, whether it’s a fine old watch, your house or your health (physical or spiritual). The writer warns there’s no escape if we neglect this salvation. There’s no ‘Plan B’ or alternate route.
The good news is true. It’s come to us through reliable witnesses. Embrace this Jesus who became like us so we could be like him, who died for us so we could live with him. We cannot afford to drift away from or neglect the good news. Tune your spiritual focus to Jesus, and stay tuned.
Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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