Today’s Bible reading is Genesis 16 and Hebrews 2.
Hebrews 2 calls for your close attention. It warns about our tendency to “drift away” from what matters most. And it asks a sobering question: “How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
But why? Why should I lend my precious attention on a Friday to a 2,000-year-old letter? Why should I be concerned about “drifting away” from anything or anyone? What is this “salvation,” and what makes it great?
“Namely Jesus.”
There’s a face attached to this message of salvation. A face with a name. “We see him…namely Jesus…”
- For a little while, Jesus was made lower than the angels (2:9)
- Jesus shared in flesh and blood (2:14)
- Jesus suffered when he was tempted (2:18)
- Jesus tasted death for everyone (2:9)
- Jesus served as the atoning sacrifice for our sins (2:17)
- Jesus became the founder of our salvation (2:10)
- Jesus has been made a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God on our behalf (2:17)
- Jesus is able to help those who are being tempted (2:18)
- Jesus is the devil-Destroyer and the deliverer of all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery (2:15)
- Jesus is not ashamed to call those of us who have been sanctified by his sacrifice brothers and sisters (2:11)
“Namely Jesus.”
Perhaps you’re having the sort of day where David’s question from Psalm 22, reiterated in Hebrews 2, is your question:
“What is man, that you are mindful of him,
or the son of man, that you care for him?”
The answer to that question has a face and a name–Jesus. Jesus knows. Jesus cares. Jesus gave. Jesus sympathizes. Jesus helps. Jesus is interceding for you.
“How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”
He’s worthy of your attention and submission today.