Hebrews 11:29-40
We seem to have progressed in our spiritual lives where the scriptures are very much of secondary or tertiary importance. The list of primary sources of our inspiration are varied but they include, personal prophetic words, corporate prophecies, books by prophetically oriented authors, music, more books, DVD’s, conferences and especially Pastor’s Sunday preaching. (Note: I am including myself here.)
There is nothing wrong with any of these except that, in themselves, they are not immediately personal. They are someone else’s light. They are someone else’s meal that they have chewed on and then regurgitated for our benefit. How are we to have a personal relationship with God if all we do is listen to others and quote what they have to say? What is our Lord saying to us? We are not told to give an account of the hope that is in them. We are told to give an account of the hope that is in us. I recommend you ask Pastor about this.
It was Hebrews 11 that prompted that mini-tirade. When I hear the Body of Christ at-large talk about faith, I get the distinct impression that the views of some of our inspirational substitutes have elbowed out what the scriptures have to say about it. On Monday we read Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” The problem reveals itself in what we expect as our reward. Come, let us think together.
Should we calibrate our expectations to be sword-wielders – those who, by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts ofrighteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight?
Or, should we adjust our visions to include the possibility that we might be sword-victims – those who may be
tortured, experience mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment, those who may be stoned, sawn in two, tempted, put to death with the sword who went about poorly clothed, destitute, afflicted and ill-treated?
Do I need to tell you which of these two is the more prominent vision being cast by our many and varied sources of inspiration? But… let’s keep it personal. What do you think? Are we to wield the sword or become its victims?
The truth is that faith has never beed an either/or situation. Either or both of these radically different experiences may be encountered as we walk by faith. In fact the scriptures tell us that all these,(implying “both” groups) have gained approval through their faith, and …they did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better…..”
It seems that we should come to agreement about what is the better part – that something better that is foundational to both of these valid yet varied experiences with God. We need to come to agreement about what that better part actually is if without faith (which includes that something without which) it is impossible to please Him. It would seem very wise to come to God as He actually is (rather than how we have reshaped Him to our fancy). It seems wise that we should believe that He is (as He has revealed Himself to us in scripture) and that He rewards those who seek Him (not with one or the other guaranteed outcomes but rather with that better part).
None of the people listed in Hebrews 11 calibrated their expectations as we western Christians have. What then was the better part they were looking forward to? We can work toward that answer but we have to keep in mind that the lens they were looking through did not allow for a clear and closeup view, rather….
They saw it (i.e.; the better part) way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. They were homesick…… They could have gone back (to reclaim some earthly predictability and security) any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that— a heaven country. (MSG)
Our heroes of faith do have a common denominator that transcends their earthly experience. It is a better plan because all our gains are stored in a place where moth and rust will not destroy – a place where no thief can access. All of Hebrews mighty men of faith died having never seen their reward. We are more fortunate. We know from Paul (and hopefully our own experience) that the reward is Christ HImself. Even though Moses couldn’t quite make Him out he had his eye on the One no eye can see, and kept right on going. Even though he couldn’t imagine what he would go through, as a result of walking by faith, Noah became intimate with God. What each of the heroes sought was restored union with God through Christ. Astonishing; Jesus Himself is our reward. Jesus is God’s better plan for us.
A person as a plan? A person as a reward? Yes! The first part of Hebrews 12 elaborates…
Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. …… For consider Jesus who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (MSG)
Father, strip our visions of Christianity bare of notions that perpetuate our vicarious Christian experience. Wean us from our dependencies on food gleaned by others. Kick us out of our comfortable nests of dependency and teach us to find our own wings to fly with. May we truly mount up with the wings of eagles so that it may be said of us as well, “These are those of which the world is not worthy and when they have died they will still go on speaking. Amen.