Hebrews 10:19-39
Dear RTB’ers,
The writer of Hebrews spends a lot of words, and they are really good words, but the essence of what he is saying is captured in just a few verses:
…since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus… (v. 19b) And
…since we have a great priest over the house of God… (v. 21) Then
…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith… (v. 22)
These three partial verses bring us to the heart of our confession of faith, offering us strength for our earthly life and confidence in our heavenly hereafter. However,
…if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment… (v. 26-27b) Scary!! So, instead,
…let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… (vv. 24-25b)
We, together with the Holy Spirit, are one another’s best defense against that horrible falling away!
Don’t get me wrong – the “in-between” words are good, they provide more substance to the main ideas presented in those partial verses. But I think it’s helpful to pull out the important material, then to re-read the entire reading with the material from those partial verses in mind. I hope that’s helpful
Blessings!
See also: December 26 (2023) / Hebrews 7-10