Hebrews 3:1-6 "The Faithful One"

Read Hebrews 3:1-6.

"But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house." NIV

Here Jesus is called an "apostle." The word apostle means "one who is sent." God, the Father, sent Jesus, the Son, to earth to redeem His people. Then the author compares Jesus to Moses in this respect. Just as Moses was sent out to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery in Egypt, so Jesus is sent to lead the people out of slavery to sin.

Jesus stands firm, faithfully still leading God's creation out of an eternity of damnation to an eternity with God. Even when we stray, He is "faithful" over God's house, the believers. So often we act as the Hebrew people did and wander away from Christ, but He never leaves us. He faithfully waits patiently for our return. What sorrow and grief He must suffer in the waiting. As if the suffering He already did for us on the cross was not enough, we become selfish and seek our own paths. But He waits ..... with arms open wide for His bride to return. Such patience with such fallible beings. Why? Why doesn't He just wipe us all off the face of the earth and say, "Enough of this foolishness!"

Because He is love. And His amazing love outweighs and out-waits any sin we can commit. All we need to do is "hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." The Son is watching.

Further Thoughts:

1. Do you have trouble believing that Jesus still loves you even in all of your messed-up-ness? Why?
2. What is the difference between being "messed up" and walking away from God or rebellion?
3. What does Scripture mean by "the narrow path?" How is the width of the path determined? (support with Scripture)
4. Read the book of Hosea. It's short, and it gives a great illustration of the way Jesus waits for us.
5. Spends some time today analyzing if you are on the narrow path or not. What are your intentions as a Christ-follower? Fire insurance or total surrender? God knows your heart, so you can't hide your intentions from Him. But sometimes, I think we hide our intentions from ourselves. It's time to be honest.
   

2 Peter 3:1-9 "The Day of the Lord, Part 1"

Read 2 Peter 3:1-9.

"He is patient with you,...." NIV

So often it seems that we go day in and day out, continuing in the same things, the same way. Disasters happen, wars continue, people are born and people die. The stock market rises and falls, the politicians make promises. You go to work, pick up your kids from school, make supper, go to bed and then do it all over again tomorrow. (I sound like a real cynic, but I'm not. There's a point to this.) Life can seem like we are going in a circle that will never end, so why doesn't the Lord just come now and end the drudgery?

I remember when my Mom slipped into a coma three days before she passed away. I wondered, "What now? Lord, just take her. She's already gone from this world." But we were still waiting on my brother to arrive. There was still grieving to do. Still goodbyes to be said. There were still reasons for her to be there -- maybe ones we will never know -- but her days were not finished.

In the same way, God is not finished with this world. There are still people to reach for His kingdom. The one who spoke this world into existence has a reason for it to continue, so we must make the most of the time that is left. Yes, we still go to work and do all the other things that make up our day, but we can touch people's lives while we are doing it. We can love with the love of God -- His Spirit flowing through us if we only allow Him. So many are hurting and we are the only ones who know the Truth of hope. In the meantime, we trust the timing of the One who knows no time. His ways are higher than our ways. 

Further Thoughts: 

1. Research other passages on "time" and "God's patience."
   
2. Do you feel purposeless while you wait for God's return? Are you loving people? Do you have a ministry? Our joy comes through serving the Lord. How are you serving?
   
3. Watch this video by Brandon Heath, "Give Me Your Eyes."