Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…
In the first two chapters, the author of the book of Hebrews sets before us the case for Jesus’ supremacy. That is, before we get started on this sermon or letter about Jesus, let’s remember who Jesus is and is not. Jesus is above all things, and through him all things were created. So, you can contemplate creation, angels, and all divine and holy things, but do not lump Christ in that category. And yes, Christ is our friend, our sibling, but be careful for reverence, be sure to remember that Christ is something, someone else altogether: the Son.
In chapter three, this pattern is echoed with Moses. While Moses was a called and faithful leader, he was not the Messiah. Moses was a servant in God’s house, but Jesus is the Son over God’s house. (vs 6-7)
Because this same Jesus, who is above the angels and humans, even humans like Moses, saves us from sin, let us spend our energy on encouraging one another in lives of faith. Since Christ has rescued us from the power of sin, let us remind each other not to wallow in sin with hardened hearts.
Instead of allowing our hearts to harden against our neighbors, the writer of Hebrews calls us to actively strive against that. The writer knows how difficult it is, so we are invited to work on it together. We read in this chapter to encourage each other; remind others to protect their hearts from forming the calloused shell that might keep them from vulnerability.
This is the call of Christian community, right? We are a group project. On our own, our energies are spent on surviving, on making it through each day, each encounter. Together, we are more. We can protect each other, remind each other, and build the necessary scaffolding to support all our tender and open hearts.
And with tender, open hearts, we can follow Jesus into unfamiliar places with people we don’t understand. With tender, open hearts, we can listen with love, hoping to understand others. With tender, open hearts, we can practice hospitality in ways we may have never considered.
A heart open to the needs of my neighbor is a worthy offering to the Son, who has set me free from sin’s power.
Pastor Jennifer Shimota is a lifelong city girl loving life in the country, while she serves Coble’s Lutheran Church in Julian. She is an avid gardener, but that doesn’t really mean she knows what she is doing. Her dog, Eleanor Rigby, is her steady companion, ever-hopeful Jennifer will drop (sometimes intentionally) a morsel of food.
To Consider
God has given you people who encourage you to keep your heart tender and open. Who are they? What do they say or do to encourage you? (Reminder: we do not have to know in-person those who nourish us.)
Imagine a day when your heart is tender and open. Is there a person or people God might call you to engage with when your heart is that way? Is there a conversation or some forgiveness in your life that needs a tender, open heart?
Prayer
O God, your heart is ever-tender and open to me. I long for a heart like yours, and yet my fears sometimes harden it. Soften my heart, Lord. Amen.