Hebrews Chapter 1 begins forthrightly, directly and bluntly: “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
For the next nine of its thirteen Chapters, Hebrews continues to show that Jesus is not only greater than angels, but also than Moses and the Law; Aaron and high priests; the sacrifice of doves, goats, and bullocks; and of all prophets. By His crucifixion, death, resurrection, and ascension Jesus by Himself once and for forever is elevated to the pinnacle of creation as Saviour, Advocate, Lord, and Judge.
Chapter 2 verse 1 is a digression in this triumphant saga of Jesus who entered history as a marginal man but is the eternal Almighty God. Using the power of if-then logic and imperatives of must and earnest, Verse 1 states:
“Therefore, we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.” Knowing who Jesus is, the verse warns of the danger of drifting away from faith in and following our Lord.
- Drifting is not deliberate. Drifting is not intentional.
- Drifting requires no effort, just carelessness and procrastination.
- Drifting is always downstream. Drifting in is never against the tide.
- Drifting gathers speed of its own the further you go downstream
- Drifting ends in disaster before you realize its real danger.
Drifting away from Jesus can come from paradoxical sources:
Success
Suffering
Satisfaction
Selfishness
The Covid Drift is the newest source of drifting among us Christians. It has the potential to undermine in-person fellowship of believers.
Attending Church TV or on-line is so comfortable and easy. We can skip standing in reverence; sitting in silent mediation; singing together in unison; celebrating the joy of the Lord contagiously; and even listening to the Messenger without interruptions and intrusions. On-line is useful but not a replacement of face-to-face fellowship.
Heed the counsel of Hebrews Chapter 2 Verse I: Keep Focused on Jesus: Don’t Drift Away.