Jun 27, 2020
Bible verses for Meditation:
Hebrews 10:23-25
NABRE
23 Let us hold unwaveringly to our confession that gives us hope,
for he who made the promise is trustworthy. 24 We must consider how
to rouse one another to love and good works. 25 We should not stay
away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one
another, and this all the more as you see the day drawing near.
NRSV
23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering,
for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to
provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to
meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one
another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Meditation on Scripture:
Hebrews is a powerful text. It teaches us that Christ is a High Priest that came to perform a redeeming sacrifice for us. This is a prevalent theme as is how we can serve each other. This scripture has a few powerful messages for us in that. First is to maintain an unwavering confession of our hope in Him even in the middle of such uncertainty. God’s promise is trustworthy. Another powerful aspect is the idea that we provoke each other to love and good deeds. Generally provoking someone tends to be used as a negative. Sometimes we provoke others to anger or even sadness. As Christians our goal should be to help each other live the highest law that Christ gave, which is to learn how to love deeply. This scripture also talks of gathering together. As we ponder collectively what it looks like to gather together in our context let us be mindful of others that we don’t provoke them to shame or rejection due to physical concerns.
Gathering is a sacred tradition instituted by God even before the coming of Christ. We have more tools available to gather than ever before. How are we using them? Are we using our technology to reach out to those who are hesitant to meet due to physical health? As you and your congregation consider what is appropriate for meeting I hope we can find ways to make worship available to as many people as possible using all available technology and tools. I don’t think technology can ever truly replace the value of physically worshiping together but I hope we can be mindful of reaching out to others who are isolated and vulnerable. Let us encourage one another and provoke each other to good deeds and love.
Meditation of Prayer:
Pray as directed by the Spirit.
Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.
Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:
I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.
Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation
and meditate and visualize positive change in your life:
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Updates:
Final Question: How can you provoke others to love and good deeds?
Final Thought: This has been and continues to be a very stressful time for many people. I think in this context it is valuable that we are patient with others and ourselves. The love of God extends to us even when we make extremely poor choices. To act as Jesus would I believe includes aspiring to this kind of love. Perhaps over the next week at least you can ask yourself if the words you speak or write provoke love or shame. Do we use our words to try and show how others are ridiculous or to build bridges of understanding and love? We, as a world and community of believers, need compassion now more than ever before. Let us choose the example of Jesus Christ and pour out our love onto as many people as possible.
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