October 18 | Hebrews 9:23-28

---

DAILY READING

Hebrews 9:23-28

REFLECTION

Waiting For Jesus

By Todd Marti

I must confess that I struggled with what to say about this passage. Then the Holy Spirit led me to the last phrase of the last verse: “he will appear a second time * to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 (emphasis added).

What does it mean to be “waiting for him.” The Greek word translated as “waiting” does not mean sitting idly, passively, by.  Instead, it means to wait “assiduously,” to look for,  and to understand from context. That directs us to actively seek Christ where he is available now and to try to conform our lives to his. That direction is consisted with other scripture; we see the similar directions in Hebrews 12:1-2; Philippians 2:5, and Colossians 3:1-2.

How do we do that? There are multiple ways, but two things come to mind.

One is to consistently spend focused, interactive, time in scripture. John 1:14 tells us that Jesus is the word made flesh, so we spend time with him when we spend time in the word. Maybe that’s why  Colossians 3:16 tells us to let “the word of Christ dwell in you richly[.]” Actively engaging with scripture every day, looking for what it has to say to you, is actively engaging with Jesus.

Not sure what scripture to spend time in? UALC’s Daily Worship Schedule, Bible in a year programs, harmonies of the gospels, and the Revised Common Lectionary  each provides steady streams of scripture. Each will help you stay in the word and with Jesus if you stay in them.

Another way is to pray, to talk with Jesus. As previously discussed, Hebrews 4:15-16  and other scriptures tell us to bring our concerns, questions, needs, to him. He is available and promises to give us what we need to deal with what’s going on in our lives.

Having trouble praying? Try combining your time in the word with your prayer. Think of it as a conversation where God speaks through and about the scriptures and you respond by asking him questions and listening for his answers.  Here’s an approach that works for me:

Settle yourself by slowly praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Determine what scripture you’ll be focusing on. It’s usually wise to focus on a relatively short portion of scripture.

Slowly read, reread, and again reread that scripture. Don’t hurry, but let it soak into you. What words, phrases, concepts, grab your attention?

Ask yourself what it says to you and your situation and how it connects with other scriptures you have recently read or other encounters with God you have recently had. What is God conveying to you?

Ask God what he wants you to get from the passage, what he says about what you’ve gleaned from it, how you should apply it to your life. Listen for his still, small, voice.  Don’t be afraid to express concerns; the idea is to interact, have a conversation, with God.

Think about how you will act on what you’ve experienced during this conversation.

Is this a universally, always appropriate, approach? Probably not, but it has worked for me and other believers over the centuries.  I hope it blesses you as richly as it has blessed me.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, please help us to wait for Jesus in ways that draw us closer to him. Draw us into and open the Word to us. Draw us into conversation with him. We ask this in Jesus’ name.

---

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.