November 3, 2024 - Hebrews 1-2

Day by day, we hear bad news from the world around us.  In a couple days, roughly one half of our country’s people are going to be terribly disappointed by the outcome of another national election.  We have recently seen the devastating effects of two hurricanes.  We turn from the news of the day to God’s Word, and it’s like slipping out of the storm into calm:  “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” (1:1,2).  This Jesus has come “that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery” (2:15,16).

Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “You were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world . . . But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ--by grace you have been saved--and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:1-6).  From death to life.  From the center of the storm to a calm resting place.  From enemies of God to children of God.  And all because God has spoken to us by his Son!

Lord, you sometimes speak in wonders

unmistakable and clear;

mighty signs to prove your presence,

overcoming doubt and fear

Lord, you love to speak in Scripture:

words that summon from the page,

shown and taught us by your Spirit

with fresh light for every age.

Lord, you always speak in Jesus,

always new yet still the same;

teach us now more of our Saviour;

make our lives display his Name.   –Christopher Idle (1992)