14 day plan

Hebrews: Better, Best

Day 5 of 14

NIV

Hebrews 5:11-12

Warning Against Falling Away

11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

Further reading: Hebrews 5:7-6:1a

Reflection

I grew up in a Muslim country. I was surrounded by sights and sounds and people who were soaked in Islam. Islam is not just a religion, it’s a way of life. So too, with this crowd. But these, we gather, are Jewish followers of Christ living in a world heady with Jewish culture. The preacher takes a rake and drags it through pathways and habits long compacted in their minds and hearts. It’s necessary. The flotsam and jetsam of the pervading culture is inhibiting their maturity. It’s camouflaging Christ.

There’s a draaaag in chapter 1 that collects all the words of God and compares them to The Word. A draaaag in chapter 2: thrilling angels compared to the glorious Saviour of the world. Heroes and houses (Moses and the covenant people) of chapter 3 compared to God’s heroes and home–we who are in Christ. Chapter 4: promised-land rest compared to eternal rest. And 5: high priests compared to the perfect priest.

Prayer

Without a doubt my own culture is subtly inhibiting me, Christ Jesus, from fully focussing on you and passionately following you. Expose my sin. (Pause…) Forgive me and help me to let go of these immature habits. Help me to blend the best of culture and faith in a life that radiates you.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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Hebrews 5:1-14

1Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. 3This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. 4And no one takes this honor on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was.

5In the same way, Christ did not take on himself the glory of becoming a high priest. But God said to him,

“You are my Son;

today I have become your Father.”

6And he says in another place,

“You are a priest forever,

in the order of Melchizedek.”

7During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. 8Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.

Warning Against Falling Away

11We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.