Friday 15 October, 2021

7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods, which is of no benefit to those who do so. 10 We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. 12 And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. 13 Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. 14 For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come. 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

I am always keen to hear how I may please God. And this passage ends with a clear call to do so – do good and share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. 

It’s powerful to note that such actions please God, but that they are acknowledged as sacrifices. I think the writer of Hebrews acknowledges something real at this point – we are prepared to do good and share, but often without the sacrifice. To do good to those who will not give back, and likewise in our sharing. 

Jesus calls us to do good to our enemies, and share with those who we have no other affinity with other than the bond of faith in Jesus. God is pleased when we are prepared to do good in this way – and it is sacrificial. Often because we have to give up doing good in the most natural way, to do good and share in the more unnatural way, but Kingdom way. 

I want to please you. So, Lord, I heed your word. Lead me in doing good and sharing as you lead me to, not just in the ways I am most naturally inclined to. Amen. 

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh