READ: Hebrews
3
Chapter three is a warning chapter. The first warning comes in a very
practical picture. The Jews have always revered Moses. Moses was the ‘Big Deal’ in their eyes. And
rightly so because he had been mightily used by God. However, now that Jesus
had come, not as a prophet or leader but as the High Priest, many were not
giving Him the same credit and respect they were giving to Moses. The warning
they are given about this is in the form of a construction picture.
The writer is saying if there is a beautiful house should the house get
the honour? Or should the builder get the honour? This is a good question even
for us today. Many times we look at things (houses, pieces of art, a gourmet
meal, etc.) and we become enamoured with the item in front of us. We don’t step
back and say, ‘This creation is amazing! The creator who came up with this must
be even more amazing!’ We know in our heads that the creator should get the
honour. But that means turning away from the beautiful to search Him out.
Practically speaking, some people are enamored with great music, and
enjoy a rousing emotional experience. And although there is nothing wrong with
that, if we don’t move beyond that to worship the One who gave the music and to
whom the words are directed, are we just like these Jews? Some are enamored
with their church, the way things are done, the preacher they like, and the
building and programs. Again, there is nothing wrong with loving the church we
attend! We should! But if our love of our local church does not cause us to
love and worship and stand in awe of the One who created the Church, died for
Her, and is coming back for, have we not fallen into the same trap?
The second warning is about hardening our hearts. The writer makes it
clear this was a problem for the Israelites as they tromped through forty years
of desert living. According to this chapter there was a clear progression:
1.
We hear His voice.
2.
We harden our hearts.
3.
We test God to see… how far can we go before we pay
consequences for our sin?
4.
The consequence always comes.
The Holy Spirit is speaking today. We must listen. Then we must obey. If
we know what is right and do not do it, we are hardening our hearts. If we know
what not to do, but do it still, we are hardening our hearts. This is how we
test God: We think, ‘If I do this just one more time will God still forgive me?
Will I lose my salvation?’
How much more joy would we live in if we stopped the progression before
it started! If we quickly obeyed – no matter the cost to us – we would never
have to wonder if we were testing the Lord. We would never question our
salvation, or fear the consequences. This is freedom! True freedom comes when
we listen to the voice of God and obey. In this chapter, this freedom is called
rest. True rest. When we are no longer striving, and racing, and working hard
at everything except the one thing He asks: To listen and obey.
JOURNALING
AND PRAYER
1.
Ask the Lord Jesus to expose anything in your life
that you revere or love, but you haven’t even noticed that you aren’t looking
beyond to worship the Creator. If there is something, confess it as sin. Ask
Him to show you His magnificence as the Creator of what you love. Spend some
time in worship.
2.
Ask the Lord to show you if there’s something you’ve
heard Him say, but you haven’t obeyed. If there is, confess it. Ask the Lord
for forgiveness and to give you grace to obey now, and immediately from this
point on. If he brings nothing to mind, ask Him to keep your heart soft, and
immediately obedient. Thank Him for the freedom you have experienced through
obedience to His voice.
3.
Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you about your identity
and how you worship Him, and how listening to His voice and immediate obedience
will continue to define who you are in Christ. Thank Him for His continued work
and patience in your life.
