Isaiah 6-8, Proverbs 19:15-29, Luke 21:1-19, Hebrews 2:1-9

Hebrews 2:1-9:

It is easy sometimes – given our exposure to “Christianese” and kitsch Christian giveaways, or what I even once heard someone in the gift trade call “Jesus junk” – to think of Jesus in less highly exalted terms than we should. Because we are exposed from an early age, if we grew up in the church, to teachings that show Jesus as the friend of children (which he is) and friend of sinners (which he also is), we can sometimes undervalue the extent to which he is awesome – and therefore is one to whom we must pay attention. 

The Hebrew Christians to which this Book of Hebrews is written were facing something of that dilemma, albeit for very different reasons. Now that increasing pressure was being brought upon Christians, even persecution, it was natural enough for the Jewish Christians to wonder whether they really needed to lay claim to the name of Jesus, or whether in fact they could go back to Judaism and not suffer persecution thereby. Throughout this book, the author of Hebrews is showing that Jesus is better, greater, more superior, even than any of the Old Testament prophets or teachers, even than angels.  

And because of that, in this section we are looking at today, he is making the case that: 

“We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” 

Why we should we pay especial attention to Jesus? Because if those who rejected the law (“the message spoken through angels”) were punished, how could we possibly escape if we ignore the great salvation that comes in the name of Jesus?  

In other words, the New Testament – and in particular the person of Jesus – is not less awesome or fearsome than the Old Testament, but more so. And therefore we must pay very careful attention to obey Christ, follow Christ, and listen to Christ’s Word. 

Would you commit then again this morning to follow Christ? To not be tempted to turn away from him because people at work, or at school, might verbally (or even physically) abuse you for your commitment to Christ? To not be embarrassed to lay claim to the name of Jesus if some powerful and influential people say that it is foolish to believe in Jesus?  

Stand firm. Do not ignore such a great salvation!