5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:
In putting everything under them,[d] God left nothing that is not subject to them.[e] Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.[f] 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters.[g] 12 He says,
13 And again,
“I will put my trust in him.”[i]
And again he says,
“Here am I, and the children God has given me.”[j]
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,[k] fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priestin service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Yesterday I came up with a new title for myself. I've decided to call myself a "novice-novice". The inspired name came from bowling with my husband. As I was chucking the ball down the alley I had to question how after all these years could I still be so very bad! The answer was, I'm a novice novice! A beginner at beginning because once a year or so I begin to try to learn to bowl...again!
Many areas of my life fall under this nomenclature...I'm a novice-novice harp player, skier, seamstress etc. Some things, I've advanced to calling myself average. I am an average organizer, cleaner, cook! Unfortunately my averages are in critical areas of life as a wife and mother!
When I'm discouraged about my skills (or lack of), I paint a room or move a piece of furniture...it helps. I seem to do well with picking paint colors and seeing where a sofa should situate! However even in my strength areas, I still get it wrong sometimes and call in an expert.
The book of Hebrews was written to help novice Christians; Jewish people who were relearning what it meant to have a relationship with God. There were some misunderstandings to correct, bad habits to do away with and a new title to bear: "Christian". The new name, however, did not make them experts at their new life. The writer of Hebrews warned: "How will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" Unfortunately, their novice areas happened to be absolutely critical in life and in eternity. Even the letter's author seems a novice when he quoted "somebody, somewhere has said..." (v. 6). The Hebrew Christians needed the assistance of an expert if they were going to live out God's mission for humanity on earth; that is in verse 8- "God left NOTHING that is not in subjection to them."
Have you considered this? God made man to manage the world! Not even the angels were entrusted with such a mission. But men are novice-novices! Do we manage well? Clearly, we do not.
Is there another "religion" that can claim their God solved their problem for them by intervening Himself? Is there another God or prophet or wise man who pioneered salvation for His people?
Jesus, instead of being ashamed of us claimed us as His family! He calls us brothers and sisters, children, His own!
Why is the world a mess? Because He entrusted us with a mission and we failed!
Do you understand that Jesus became fully human to solve our problem?
In the pages of the Bible we read how even though God through Jesus made the world, God through Jesus is rescuing the world.
Jesus said (my own paraphrase)-
"My brothers and sisters, You don't understand who God is! I will show you. You don't get how to live the life He made you for...I will show you! My children, You are so mistaken you cannot help yourselves! I'm taking you to Him."
Jesus,
expert at relationships,
expert at fulfilling His destiny,
expert at mastering temptation
expert at suffering,
expert at dying...
expert at living again.
Does life and death and the idea of God scare you? Are you tired of beginning to try to learn again on your own?
Call on the expert!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please share your thoughts!