Hebrews 4:1-10

Read

Hebrews 4:1-10 (NRSV)

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, 'As in my anger I swore, "They shall not enter my rest,"' though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. 4For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows, 'And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.' 5And again in this place it says, 'They shall not enter my rest.' 6Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7again he sets a certain day-'today' -saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.' 8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. 9So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; 10for those who enter God's rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.

Think

  Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7again he sets a certain day-'today' -saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.'

I have joined the evangelism commission in the Diocese where I serve.  This commission is responsible for coming up with new and exciting ways to incite evangelism in the diocese.  Unfortunately, we Episcopalians aren't big on Evangelism, we tend to let it be done by the "evangelicals" and because we are scared of being wrong, or misunderstood or compared to someone who we are not we keep silent.  I am a big fan of evangelism- telling the Good News of Jesus Christ- if it were a facebook page, I'd like it and link to it and I'd feel I did my job for the day.  (come to think of it I bet there is an Evangelism facebook page, I'll have to see if there is a "generic" one.) Anyway this reading today reminded me that it doesn't matter how many times a person may here the good news and turn from it they always have the opportunity to hear it again, today for the first time.

It is the grace of God which allows us to repent for the sins we committed yesterday, today.  It is the blessing of a new day which allows us to soften hearts which were previously hardened.  I know that in today's day and age many people have been hurt in the name of the Church, I know that I have been hurt by the Church, but I have been reconciled.  I left organized religion at 18 and came back at 25 after 7 years of hardening my heart one day one person did not wake up and say Today is the day that I will evangelize to Kim -  but one day it happened. 

Christ sets the day before us and Paul reminds us that Today is that day.

Pray

Help me to be your voice today, O God.  Use my words to soften the hearts of those who have been wounded by the Church and welcome them into Your Church.  It is your grace which saves, not my words or actions, help me to be humble in all that I say and do today and every day. Amen

Contemplation

The Silent Drive- Today I will not turn the radio on in my car anywhere I drive.  And use this time to listen for the voice of God to soften my own hardened heart today.