Paying Attention to the Message of Jesus (Hebrews 2:1)
"We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away" (Hebrews 2:1)
Jesus came to earth with an important message. The message of God's love and forgiveness. He has shown us the Father in a way that had not been previously been disclosed or understood. The book of Hebrews opens with this amazing truth, "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe" (Hebrews 1:1-2). Today, we are reminded to pay close attention to the Son's message so that we do not become complacent and forget what we have heard.
Jesus is both the author and subject of the Bible. We see Him woven throughout the entire scriptures. In fact everything the law and the prophets testified to was about Jesus. On the mount of transfiguration, Jesus was transformed right before Peter, James and John. His face shone like the sun and he took on His glorified heavenly state while they looked on. What is interesting about this event is that Jesus appeared with Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the Law and Elijah represents the prophets. Both standing there with Jesus testifying that He was who He said he was, God's son. Then the voice of God came out of the cloud that enveloped them and said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" (Matthew 17:5). If Moses, Elijah and God took the time to tell the disciples the importance of the message Jesus came to share, then it is extremely important for us to listen to it us as well.
God's Message of Grace
John chapter 3 summarizes the message of God's grace that Jesus came to share in its simplest form. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son" (John 3:16-18). This simple truth is so profound. God loves us so much that He gave Jesus to die in our place. He has forgiven every sin ever committed and cancelled the debt that opposed and accused mankind. Sin cannot keep you from God. Jesus bridged that gap two thousand years ago.The only thing that will send you to hell is rejecting Jesus. The only thing that will keep you from spending eternity in hell without God, is accepting Jesus. The gift is free, the choice is yours.
Which choice will you make? Fortunately, God has already given us the answer."This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:15). The answer is Jesus! God has given us the answer He desires us to make. He wants us to choose Him and live.
This is the message to which the writer of Hebrews reminds us to pay close attention. He doesn't want us to miss it or become complacent about it. The message is what Jesus came to share. God loves us. God desires a relationship with us. God wants us to know Him in a deep and intimate way.
Tomorrow we look at Hebrews 2:2-3; How Shall We Escape If We Ignore Such A Great Salvation