You Need To Listen

Hebrews 2:1-5

Were the President to come to Farmington, and be in a place where there was a likelihood of getting in, I would almost certainly go if it were possible. I would be seeking information about things which affect myself, and those I deal with to try to help keep my life as uncomplicated as possible. Hopefully the President would address some of the issues about which I am concerned. I listen to the speeches on the news for much the same reason.

Christ never holds a pep rally to get me to help push through some bill. As God he doesn’t need my approval to accomplish his goals. When he tells me something, I can depend on it happening just as he says, because of who he is. As a result, his pronouncements are far more authoritative than even the President’s. They are not proposals, but fact. We had better pay attention to what he says.

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward; How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.” (Hebrews 2:1-5)

To ignore or even forget what our leaders have informed us about can lead to serious consequences in this present world. How much worse to ignore or forget what God has told us. These verses are the key to entire book of Hebrews, reminding us of the danger of ignoring what Christ has done for us and of the penalties for disobedience. Hebrews 10 re-iterates the idea.

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:26-31)

The consequences for ignoring earthly laws may be quite severe, but the punishment still ends with our death. It does not continue throughout eternity. Ignoring God’s law carries eternal consequences. This is why Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” in Matthew 10:28.

Hebrews describes in detail what Christ has done in an effort to cause us to understand the importance of what he tells us. Failure to receive it will result in eternal damnation. It is not something to be lightly entered into or rejected.

At the present time the word disciple is often understood to mean someone who is publicly following Christ. This ignores the fact that Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathaea, and others are referred to as disciples. But secretly for fear of the Jews. The word translated disciple, ‘matatheno’ means a pupil as a noun. It was often defined traditionally as a ‘follower’ in the sense of a student or believer. The traditional definition is more in line with scripture than the modern usage. Using it, we find that Christ stressed the commitment to him in order to be saved. It was not simply saying a few words, or lightly acknowledging his sacrifice. Notice the teaching in Luke 14:26-33.

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

Hebrews is written to enable people to make such a commitment, knowing what Christ has done, and to continue in that commitment. Far too many are like those Jesus described in John 6:26, seeking only immediate relief, rather than a new life. “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled.” They have no interest in what Christ has actually done, or in what it cost. They are not really believers, but only followers for convenience, what some call “Rice Christians.” They will profess Christianity to get what they want, but have no commitment to Christ.