Life can be really hard, can’t it? We get wounded by grief, damaged by hurts, or just distracted by busyness. The Bible says there’s a toil about life that’s not the way it’s meant to be – in fact, it is cursed, bringing death (Genesis 3:17–19). Everything is meant to be ‘under our feet’ (see v 8). God designed us to be on top of the world! But the world so often gets on top of us. 

The danger is we drift away from God (v 1). These verses bring three truths to help us stay close to him. First, remember the consequences (v 2). If disobeying ‘the message of angels’ (the Old Testament law) meant punishment from God, how much more if we ignore the message of the Son (v 3)? This is serious. Second, the gospel we have heard is what Jesus taught. The apostles confirmed it; God backed them up with miracles (vs 3,4). This is true. Third, there is now, in fact, a man who is on top of everything (v 9). He suffered the curse of death for us all, so that one day the groaning of our souls will be replaced with a crown of glory and honour in his presence. This is our future!   

‘I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.’¹ Renew your commitment to stay with Jesus.

Sometimes we seem to be surrounded by warning signs. The temptation is to ignore them, but some are too important to ignore – and that is the case here. This is the first of several warnings in Hebrews. The writer’s pastoral heart wants to ensure that his readers do not miss out. The old covenant came with health warnings² and when the Israelites failed to keep their side of the agreement they brought judgement on themselves. Salvation under the new covenant, brought by Jesus, testified to by God and confirmed by the activity of the Spirit (vs 3,4) is therefore that much greater and to drift away will have more serious consequences. Drift is often the way it happens. Some people make one conscious decision to give up on faith in Jesus; most take a series of little steps away from him, each one almost imperceptible until they find that they have lost their love and motivation. We are to be on our guard lest we fall.³

How do we do that? By paying attention to what we have heard (v 1) and by remembering our status and our destiny (vs 5–8). Humans were designed to rule,⁴ not in the sense of unhealthy domination but of wise leadership. This was lost through sin but will be restored in Jesus who became lower than the angels and tasted death so that we might know life. In ideas reminiscent of Philippians 2, the writer reminds us that Jesus, having taken human flesh and died, is now exalted. Only in him will we realise the future that God has for us. So: hold on. It seems that the writer was not personally acquainted with Jesus during his life (v 3); since we are in the same position, we may find special encouragement in this. 

Pray for any you know who are in danger of drifting, asking that they may be able to refocus on Jesus. 

¹ John 15:5  ² Eg Deut 28  ³ 1 Cor 10:12  ⁴ Gen 1:28