“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” (Hebrews 2.1)

New Testament Challenge, Day 35 – Hebrews 1-10

There are two things that strike me today. First, I am “amused” how we begin our readings in Hebrews for the New Testament Challenge today just as we heard in Matthew’s Gospel during the Divine Liturgy today the entire genealogy of Jesus Christ. This is amusing to me because we just saw heard Saint Paul warn about spending so much time on genealogies and then we hear a long list of names in the Church. Why? Really for the same purpose that now we hear what Saint Paul offers to the Hebrew Christians. The book was, by the way, written to Jewish believers and “complete the picture” in the minds on the purpose and reality of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. For that matter non-Jews had no need for a “New” Testament since they were not part of the Old or “First” Testament. Nonetheless Saint Paul gives us a clearer picture on the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ and its purpose.

“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aide to the seed of Abraham.” (Hebrews 2.14-16)

In partaking of the flesh and blood, which is to receive Holy Communion, we are released from the fear of death. This is the great gift and role of Christ’s Passion on the Cross.

The second reason I am amused today is the clear implication that both Matthew’s Gospel and today’s readings in Hebrews suggest that it isn’t directly the flesh lineage that saves but the faith lineage. In the Gospel there are many other names of individuals who were fleshly descendents of Abraham, not excluding the billions of Muslims who are descendents of Ishmael. Saint Paul writes,

“Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you and evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3.12-13)

 Saint Paul could just have easily given this warning to any Christian believer, most especially so-called ‘cradle Orthodox’, who turn away from God in their lives.

While we may be members of the ancient Orthodox Christian Church, we must never think our ‘seat at the table’ is guaranteed as it wasn’t for the Jews. We must take our faith in Jesus Christ and allow it govern our lives and actions DAILY.