17 January 2017 - in joyful hope

 [ Today's Readings ]

so that you may not become sluggish

The temptation to become sluggish is always present. It is a symptom of the fact that we are more concerned about this world than about the kingdom. We rush and hurry to get things done. We prioritize the things that are needed the soonest rather than the things which have the most lasting effect. The solution to this is hope.

We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness
for the fulfillment of hope until the end

God wants our hope to be strong. He wants it to be so strong that he gives an oath as "an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose". It is a "guarantee" and "puts an end to all argument." He can swear by no one greater so he swears by himself. As he himself is unchanging, so too his promise, so too especially the oath by his own unchanging name. This is meant to be for us "an anchor of the soul". But unlike normal anchors this doesn't keep us motionless. It instead keeps us tethered to our ultimate destination and draws us onward toward it.

This we have as an anchor of the soul,
sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil,
where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner,
becoming high priest forever
according to the order of Melchizedek.

Jesus is our high priest who intercedes for us in the presence of God behind the veil. One day he will bring us fully into his presence. We will dwell in glorious light and eternal day. Every tear will be wiped from every face. If we cling to this hope we don't put anything before Jesus. On the Sabbath the will of Jesus for us comes before even our best ideas about how we ought to spend our time.

Then he said to them,
"The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath.
That is why the Son of Man is lord even of the sabbath."

This is true of every aspect of our lives. Jesus is meant to be the LORD of our whole being, not just part. If we cling to the hope we have in him this will happen more and more.

He has sent deliverance to his people;
he has ratified his covenant forever;
holy and awesome is his name.
His praise endures forever.