Today’s reading is Hebrews 2

Tom writes:

This passage is more tightly packed than a flamenco dancer’s trousers and it could therefore dazzle us so much that we end up just staring dully at it. Let’s not do that. Everything in this passage flows from a single premise; that Jesus has brought us the greatest possible salvation. As a word, ‘salvation’ is bashed around like a squash ball on a court. It is easy for us to say Jesus has “saved us” without really thinking about what we mean by “saved”. Let’s catch this word “salvation” and have a good look at it. Hebrews tells us that salvation occurred when Jesus suffered at the hands of men and died. His death brought us four clear wins. Jesus died to make us holy. Jesus died to call us brothers. Jesus died to destroy the devil. Jesus died to free us from our fear of death. Each of these four facets of faith is a fountain for flourishing. Are you feeling the flow of them? Let’s try to do so. Jesus died to make us holy. By holy we should understand “whole” - restored to perfection - humming with the harmony of the Spirit of Life. Jesus has actually made this possible for us. That is how great his salvation is. Jesus also calls us brothers. A brother is a bosom-fellow. A sister is a collaborative adventurer. A sister is a co-inheritor. To have a truly great human look at me and call me “brother” would probably make me weak at the knees. To be called a brother by the heir of all things is literally too big for my brain to easily digest.

I must make an appointment to consider that truth some more… The passage goes on to say that Jesus’ salvation put a death-wound on the devil. Is that the greatest of all his achievements? Satan is the horrific and horrendous power that makes life suck. If Jesus’ salvation really does destroy the devil that would mean no more opposition in life. No more evil and suffering. No more aches and pains. I must admit I find it hard to really conceive of what a life would be like without those things. And then the last one; no more fear of death. Philosophers have based entire treaties on the universal fear of death. They’ve said the fear of death is the single greatest influence on all of humanity everywhere. But they didn’t factor in Jesus. Jesus’ salvation is so great that it removes the dark shadow of fear that haunts even the smartest of people. There is a place to just marvel at Jesus; to applaud his stunning moves, to gasp at his generosity. But Hebrews tells us about Jesus’ salvation not just so that we watch Jesus and clap, but so that we can truly understand him and truly trust him. Because when we trust him we will step down from the audience and become Jesus dance partner; we will spend our lives moving around with him in the flourish fandango of deliverance and delight.

Question for reflection

What aspect of Jesus’ salvation is most amazing to you?

Hebrews 2 - Friday 13th September