Hebrews 12:3-6

Summary retelling of Hebrews 12:3-6

Consider Jesus, who underwent torture and hardship on behalf of all kinds of sinners.  Given the example of what Christ endured, we should not grow weary, either.  In our struggles in the world, by definition none of us who are still alive have been asked to do what Christ did: to sacrifice our whole lives.  Even with all of this, we should not look upon the Lord’s asking of our lives as a bad thing.  God doesn’t ask us to sacrifice because He wants us to be miserable.  God asks us to sacrifice because He loves us and wants to show us what is truly important.  Because God loves us, there is sacrifice.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Think about the hardship that Jesus endured in life.  People listened – then turned away.  People insulted Him.  People came to test Him.  People arrested Him, beat Him, and killed Him.  He was raised from the dead and has changed life after life for centuries; yet millions of people still reject Him.  He has endured all kinds of hardship from humanity.  Yet He did it for us.  He did it for God.  We should strive for the same perspective.

What hardships have you endured?  What hardships have you caused Christ to endure?  What hardships should you have endured but you backed away?

Second Thought:

The point that the author of Hebrews makes in verse 4 is very deep.  By definition, most of us are never asked of the level of sacrifice for which God asked of His own son.  Most of us are asked to simply live according to God’s ways.  But we have the opportunity to live out a good and natural existence.  God could ask so much more from us, but He doesn’t.

When you think about following God in these terms, how easy do we really have it?  If God asked more of you than He already does, would you do it?  Is there a point that God could ask where you would turn away from God?

Third Thought:

Sacrifice is actually a way of cleansing.  If you think about it, it really does make sense.  If we love something more than God, it is unhealthy.  So God asks us to give it up. Yes, it is hard.  But the point is to give up something that cannot bring true happiness so that we can learn how to love God who can bring true happiness.  Sacrifice – when asked of us from God – is a thing that brings about joy and peace.

What sacrifice in your life has truly brought joy into your life as you’ve drawn closer to God?  What things, thoughts, or patterns of life have you given up for the better?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 12:7-8