The Life of Faith

Readings for today: Hebrews 9-13

I love this section of Hebrews because of how it helps us come face to face with the life of faith. Faith is the assurance of things hoped for and the conviction of things not yet seen. Walking by faith and not by sight is the key to a vibrant relationship with Christ. It places us in a posture of trust. It pushes us to open our hands and hearts to all kinds of God-ordained possibilities. What no eye has seen and no ear heard. What no human heart can understand. This is the life God offers us if we will let go of our need for control and certainty. God wants to do more than we can ever ask or imagine. God wants to give us every spiritual blessing from heaven. God wants to give good gifts to His children. These are His promises and they are sure. But we can only receive them as we let go of the things of this world. Let go of our plans for our lives. Let go of our need to manage and control outcomes.

A friend of mine likens the Christian life to that of a leaky boat. All of us have holes. All of us are taking on water to a certain extent. We were born this way. It’s the result of original sin as well as our own selfish, sinful choices in life. After we come to saving faith in Jesus Christ, we have a decision to make. We can spend all our time bailing water. Grabbing a bucket and trying to stay afloat in our own strength and by our own effort. Eventually, however, we’ll tire out and we’ll begin to sink. The other alternative is to push the throttle all the way down. Commit ourselves wholeheartedly to Christ. Place ourselves under His power and His authority and watch all the water we’ve taken on flow out the back. This is what I think the author of Hebrews is talking about when he writes, “Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭2-3‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

The more we place our lives in God’s hands, the more we will find ourselves tapping into supernatural resources of wisdom and strength. The more we trust God for our lives, the more we will be sustained by the manna which comes from heaven. The more we press into Christ, the more we will find ourselves disentangled from sin and released from the heavy burdens we carry. This doesn’t mean the life of faith is easy. Go back and read the stories listed in the 11th chapter and you’ll see a whole lot of struggle and suffering. However, what you’ll also see is victory. The people of God overcoming the trials and tribulations of this world because they kept their eyes focused on a higher prize. This is ultimately what fuels the life of faith. Keeping our eyes on Christ. Rehearsing in our heads and hearts all He went through on our behalf. This is what shoots adrenaline into our souls!

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Timothy 1-4

The Truest Story

Readings for today: Hebrews 5-8

The gospel is the best story because it is a true story. Anchored on the promise of God. Sealed by the oath of God. Grounded on the fact that God cannot lie nor change His mind. Throughout human history, God has made many promises. He promised Noah deliverance. He promised Abraham a child. He promised Moses victory. He promised David a descendant to sit on his throne. In each case, He swears an oath by Himself. He puts His glory and His honor on the line. And in every case He delivers. He fulfills His promise. Even in the face of our doubts and fears, disobedience and sin, God never wavers. He is faithful.

This is why the author of Hebrews says “We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬b-‭20‬ ‭MSG‬‬) He knows God can be trusted. He knows God has made a promise. The promise of a Savior. The promise of a Messiah. The promise of a King to sit on His throne and a High Priest to intercede in the heavens. God not only made this promise but He swore an oath. He put His glory and honor on the line. He will not let it fail. So by these two “unchangeable things” - the oath and character of God - we have assurance. We have hope. We can hold fast to what God has set before us.

The story of Jesus is no fairy tale. It is no myth or legend. It is not fiction or something any human being made up. Jesus was born. Jesus lived. Jesus suffered. Jesus died. Jesus rose again. These are historical events. You can actually go and see where they took place. You can visit Bethlehem where Jesus was born. You can walk around Galilee and see where Jesus ministered for three years. You can go to Golgotha and see where Jesus was crucified. You can touch the slab where His body lay. Not only that but you can read about these events not only in the Bible but in extra-biblical sources as well. No one disputes that they actually happened. This is what makes the gospel so compelling after all these years. It’s true! It’s real! It happened! And that’s why we celebrate at Christmas!

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 9-13

Jesus is the Centerpiece

Readings for today: Hebrews 1-4

Hebrews is a great book to read the week leading up to Christmas because of how it focuses our attention on Christ. The author has a clear view of Jesus. He knows Jesus is greater than the angels. Greater than the prophets of old. Greater than even Moses who came before Him. There is none like Christ. None whom the Father claims as His Son. None who was given all authority in heaven and on earth. None who even now sits on the throne. Only Jesus. He cannot be dismissed. He cannot be ignored. He cannot be denied. He cannot be commercialized or trivialized. His birth is the greatest miracle the world has ever known. His life is the greatest testimony the world has ever seen. His death is the greatest sacrifice ever made. His resurrection is the greatest victory ever won. And all of this is what we celebrate on Christmas.

I’ve been preaching Christmas Eve services for over twenty years now and the story never gets old. It’s incredibly humbling to get to share the good news of great joy each and every year. I still cannot believe I get to do what I do. I stand in a long of line of heralds who came before me. Men and women like Paul and Priscilla. Apollos and Junia. The unnamed author of Hebrews and the disciple whom Jesus loved. Not to mention the thousands upon thousands of pastors and missionaries and theologians throughout history who dedicated their lives to this same proclamation. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. The Son of God took on human form and entered the world. The Spirit of God hovered over the virgin womb of Mary and conceived the God-Man. The Son of the Most High became one of us in order to give His life for us. This is why the writer of Hebrews talks about Jesus as the great high priest who suffers like we suffer. Endures the same temptations we endure. Lived as we live. In this way, He can identify with us in our weaknesses and present them before the Father. This is why He came. It’s incredible. There are no words.

As you hustle about these final days before Christmas, here’s my prayer for you…“So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2 MSG‬‬) Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Spend time with Him every single day. Let His Word dwell in you richly. Let His love fill your soul with joy. Let His passion to reach the lost compel you to share Christ with those around you and invite them to join you on Christmas Eve. Most of all, let the miracle of His birth fill you with awe and wonder yet again as you approach the manger.

Readings for tomorrow: Hebrews 5-8