OCTOBER 28, 2015
Where Is My
Focus?
You
suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of
your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting
possessions. — Hebrews 10:34
Read:
Hebrews
10:32-39
Early in September 2011, a raging wildfire
destroyed 600 homes in and around the city of Bastrop in central Texas. A few
weeks later an article in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper carried this
headline: “People who lost the most, focus on what wasn’t lost.” The article
described the community’s outpouring of generosity and the realization of those
who received help that neighbors, friends, and community were worth far more
than anything they lost.
The writer of Hebrews reminded first-century
followers of Jesus to recall how they had bravely endured persecution early in
their life of faith. They stood their ground in the face of insults and
oppression, standing side by side with other believers (Heb. 10:32-33). “You
suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of
your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting
possessions” (v. 34). Their focus was not on what they had lost but on eternal
things that could not be taken from them.
Jesus told His followers, “Where your treasure
is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21). As we focus on the Lord and
all that we have in Him, even our most precious possessions can be held
lightly.
Lord, open our eyes to see You and to embrace what is most
important each day.
Where is your focus today?
INSIGHT:
The letter to the Hebrews has one dominant
theme—the superiority of Christ over everything. This theme is developed as He
is described as the ultimate revelation the Father has given of Himself
(1:1-3). He is superior to the angels (1:4-14) and He is superior to Moses
(3:1-16). Jesus is also portrayed as giving a better rest (ch. 4) and serving
as a better high priest (4:14-15). Christ came to be the superior, once-for-all
sacrifice for our sin (9:11–10:18). This was an important reminder for the
Jewish recipients of this letter, who were apparently in danger of drifting
away from the truth of the sufficiency of Christ. Bill Crowder
Source: Our Daily Bread 2015
