November 1 | Hebrews 13:8-9, 13

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DAILY READING

Hebrews 13:8-9, 13

REFLECTION

Focusing on Jesus

By Todd Marti

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace * * *  So, let us go out to Him outside the camp[.]” Hebrews 13:8-9, 13 (NASB, other translations here)

We live in confusing times. Our institutions and social norms are going through great changes, changes driven by social media, extreme political partisanship, and ever-changing economic policies.  Whether you welcome or are repulsed by those changes, there is no denying that they are occurring and occurring with great rapidity.

So how do we respond? Today’s reading provides sound guidance. Let’s break it down.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We are not adrift in these turbulent times. Jesus provides unchanging standards for navigating the changes unfolding around us. We should therefore keep our eyes on him, evaluating and responding to things in light of what he taught and modeled. The “WWJD” question is particularly apt these days.

“Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings[.]” We should be aware of—and beware of—distortions of the gospel.  The prosperity gospel, Christian nationalism, and the elevation of politics over Jesus’ teachings may be popular, but they are not the way, the truth and the life. We see that when we keep our focus on Jesus, what he taught and modeled.

“It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace[.]” This sounds a lot like what Hebrews 4:16 tells us to do in response to challenging circumstances: “draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”  Bring your questions and concerns to Jesus because “we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15. As 1 Peter 5:7  puts it, “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Go to him, he has peace for you.

“Let us go out to Him outside the camp[.]” Will cleaving to Jesus take you out of the mainstream? Yes, but do you really want to be in such a polluted stream? Why would we want that when we can have Jesus’ living water?  He offers a far, far, infinitely better, alternative.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, please focus us on Jesus; don’t let us be distracted. Bring his teachings and examples to our minds as we navigate what’s going on around us; make him our benchmark, our guiding star. Bring us into regular, ongoing, uninhibited, conversation with him, conversation where we listen as much as we talk. Protect us from all that interferes with that. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TODD MARTI

I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.