Slices
Prepare
An understanding of the cost and worth of our salvation helps us to recognise how precious it is. Pray that today’s reading will deepen this understanding in you.
Bible passage
Warning to pay attention
2 We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, 3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Jesus made fully human
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:
‘What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
a son of man that you care for him?
7 You made them a little lower than the angels;
you crowned them with glory and honour
8 and put everything under their feet.’
In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
Explore
The saying ‘ignorance is bliss’ means that it is sometimes good to be unaware of a situation. Today’s reading teaches us the contrary: it is a bliss and blessing to be informed and reminded of something uniquely significant – our salvation. Today’s passage outlines two matters that we are to be informed of.
First is the message spoken through the angels (see also Acts 7:53 and Galatians 3:19), which points to the just punishment for our disobedience. Next is the message of our salvation. We sense how serious and precious it is when we read about the different ways it was delivered to us. It was first announced by the Lord. Then it was confirmed by those who heard him. Finally it was established by signs, wonders and miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Verses 5–9 take us to another level in our understanding of this salvation: Jesus Christ. He was made, for a little while, a little lower than the angels. Then he tasted death, which was part of God’s grace to the world. Finally he was crowned with glory and honour. All this for our salvation!
Respond
Pray that you will become more and more aware of and alert to the worth and cost of your salvation, brought through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, whose glory we are to share in eternity.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 2 Samuel 3–5; 1 Corinthians 3
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray in particular for those young people in the group who have started sharing their faith with others: Mara who has started a Christian Union at college, and Anna and Elena as they train to share their faith through Amplify. (This week's prayer relate to this article.)
