THEY ARE JUST LIKE US!

            On Sunday morning in room 10 we are beginning a new study of the book of Hebrews. One thing that is rather enlightening is to become aware of the situation of the original hearers/readers, and get an insight into the pastoral care of the writer.

            It seems right at the start that the intended audience of this “word of exhortation” (the book of Hebrews) have a wrong or incorrect view of Jesus. More than ever, in my own life and Christian journey, I have come to the realization that my view and perspective of Jesus drives my attitudes, actions and behavior.

            Apparently, these original readers were worshiping and venerating angels above Jesus. We find out that our forefathers, prophets and angels all had a part in disseminating the will of God to his people. “But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2).

            This “speaking” by the Son is in two simultaneous ways: first, by his very life speaking the will of God, and, his teachings offered during his earthly ministry. The direction of his life and his self-understanding of his mission spoke volumes about God’s will to the human race. And, his verbal teachings encapsulated God’s desire for human beings, reconciliation and renewal.

            They are just like us! The original hearers of this exhortation began to neglect and replace the central figure of the risen Christ in their life. We are just like them! We, too, can begin to neglect the central figure of the risen Christ in our own lives and forget that God continues to speak to us through His Son.

            The message of God is incarnational. The message of God came through a person. The message of God came through a person identified as God’s Son.

            In the opening Prologue to the book of Hebrews (1:1-4) the writer goes into a little detail as to the character of this Son. That is for another time for us to explore. Here and now I want to point out the dynamic of God speaking through his Son.

            Every generation of Christians has struggled with discerning the voice of God. Probably the best place to begin is to hear what God is saying to us through the life and words of Jesus, the Son.

            Prophets, forefathers and angels cannot take his place, nor supersede his role of speaking on behalf of God. He has spoken to us.

            It is in the gospels that we hear God speaking to us through His Son, Jesus. We are privileged to have all 4 gospels. Each one tells the story of Jesus, speaking on behalf of God, from a little different perspective.

            Matthew in 1:21 lays out the terrain of Jesus’ life journey—from son (of Mary & Joseph) to Savior and back to Son again! This incarnational journey speaks volumes. God identifies with us through Jesus. Jesus is able to sympathize with our weaknesses, and speaks on behalf of God regarding that kind of empathy and care. Praise God that he has spoken to us by His Son!

In Christian love, Curtis