Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering. Sometimes you were exposed to public ridicule and were beaten, and sometimes you helped others who were suffering the same things. You suffered along with those who were thrown into jail, and when all you owned was taken from you, you accepted it with joy. You knew there were better things waiting for you that will last forever.
So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Hebrews 10:32-36.
The Hebrews writer sent his letter to a community of Christians who were undergoing hardships. These Christians were experiencing persecution ranging from verbal harassment to outright physical harm. Their persecutions were causing some of them to abandon their Christian walk.
This text shows how far the Western church in the twenty-first century is from those early Christians in the first century. Comfort and convenience is often the way discipleship gets packaged in Western culture. The Hebrews writer speaks of “those early days….you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.”
Uncompromising faithfulness to Jesus is difficult in the face of unrelenting struggle. One’s commitment has to be built on absolute belief and conviction. It appears that this ancient church had reached its breaking point, where belief gives out and fractures. Where it is easier to say, “I no longer believe that” or “what was I thinking.”
The writer urged them to “recall those earlier days” because he knew that those memories contained within them the hope and conviction that drew them to follow Jesus in the first place. The writer knew that hope and conviction would give them the resources they needed to “endure a hard struggle.”
The first message about Jesus they heard was not an “attractional” message designed to lure them in and later explain the costs. The message was bold and honest, and it included the idea that one should count the cost before attempting to follow Jesus. It’s why Jesus told the wannabe disciple that he, Jesus, led a life of deprivation and transience.
Hebrews was a letter meant to take those early disciples back to their beginnings. “Don’t forget your initial confidence.” That recollection would be an anchor for the future. He reminded them of their prior confidence:
- Remember the way you endured suffering including the plundering of your homes.
- Remember how you didn’t let public abuse deter you.
- Remember how you encouraged those in prison.
- Remember the hope that drew you forward.
- Remember your confidence.
People who live in faith-filled confidence, despite great suffering are those who make up the Kingdom of God. This is a good thing to remember in the turmoil of our current.
Prayer:
Father, you never promised us a placid and easy life. Following you takes us into the wilderness, into idol-filled streets like Athens, and jail cells filled with people who defy the power of evil. Even Jesus warned us to count the cost. So please give us Spirit-filled courage to live for you in spite of any difficulty we may face. In Jesus’ name. Amen.