For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Heb. 4
God made it clear that Biblical representations of His plan are just that – representations. For example, Solomon did not sit on the throne forever. God allowed the desecration of His temple. And, as the author of Hebrews pointed out, entering the Promised Land did not provide lasting rest. So when God swore to the Israelites in the wilderness, “They will not enter my rest”, He meant more than that they would never enter the Promised Land. The author went on to point out what God’s Sabbath rest really is. “For the person who has entered His rest has rested from his own works, just as God did from His.” (Heb. 4:10). He also pointed out that not resting from our works leads us to the same pattern of disobedience that kept those early Israelites out of the Promised Land. We simply can’t have it our way and God’s way too.
Heb. 5-6
Receiving God’s gift of salvation through Christ’s sacrifice is not all there is. This is simply the proverbial tip of the iceberg. It is the foundation onto which we build a life characterized by Christ’s righteousness. Thus, the author of Hebrews refers to the foundational principles of salvation as milk. It is what we start with, but if we want to continue to grow in Christ, we need a deeper understanding. To be honest, I’m not completely certain as to what the writer is getting at with all of this. I get the sense, though, that it has something to do with works. More to the point, with the distinction between the works we rely on for our own self-made righteousness and the works we do as an offering to the God who saved us through faith. The writer makes a few statements that give me this sense.
The first is that a high priest offers both gifts and sacrifices for sins to God on behalf of the people. This means that, as our High Priest forever, Jesus did more than offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins. He also made it possible for us to live our lives as gifts of service to God. The second statement is that the mature in Christ have trained their senses to distinguish between good and evil. Thus, these know when even seemingly good works are contrary to God’s way. Finally, the author gives an analogy of ground that receives the rain. Some ground drinks in that rain and produces useful vegetation, while other ground drinks in that same rain and produces thorns and thistles.
So what do we do with the great gift of salvation God bestowed on us by grace through faith? Do we deny it by continuing to work for our own righteousness? Or do we grow in the righteousness of Christ? I pray we won’t, “…become lazy but will be imitators of those who inherit the promises through faith and perseverance.” (Heb. 6:12).