Sunday, February 10, 2013

Hebrews 13:17-19

Summary retelling of Hebrews 13:17-19

We are to obey our leaders and submit to them.  We are also to go about our relationship with our leaders so that their interaction with us causes them joy rather than grief.  After all, it is our leaders who are charged with being God’s hand in our life with respect to our spirituality.  The author then asks for prayer for himself and those working with him so that they may act with a clear conscience and in a manner that brings honor to God.  The author then urges that the readers of the letter take serious the need to uphold him in prayer so that he can return to their midst.

Thoughts for Today
First Thought:
Obey and submit.  These are two of the most challenging words to human beings.  We don’t like to obey.  We don’t like to submit.  As human beings we want to be free.  We want to live like we desire.  We don’t want to be confined or tied down.  Yet, the example of Jesus is obedience.  He obeyed the Father.  He allowed His life to be snuffed out on the cross as an act of obedience.  This does not mean we blindly obey.  However, if we are following Christ we do need to adopt an action of discerning obedience to God and to those spiritual leaders through whom God is working in our lives.

Why do you think obedience is so difficult for every single human being?  Can you make an argument that ties our desire for complete and utter independence to sin against God?  What does this mean for you and your faith?

Second Thought:
Our leaders are charged with our spiritual well-being.  They have been entrusted with our care.  They are the ones that help to put us on a track of spiritual growth.  They bring challenge into our life.  However, they also bring stability.  They bring a sounding board and a help in time of trouble.  We need to look upon our spiritual leaders with all of these things in mind and do our best to make sure that our spiritual leaders look upon these roles in our life with joy.

Is it hard being a Christian?  What argument would this passage make about the difficulty of being not only spiritual, but a spiritual leader?  How do you interact with your spiritual leaders in your life?

Third Thought:
The author asks for prayer.  This seems like such a simple thing.  It is often overlooked.  Many times we think of prayer as a mere formality or something to be “checked off the list” – like before a meal, before and after a meeting, etc.  But prayer is one of the most powerful tools that we have in our arsenal as spiritual people.  We should pray for one another.  We should ask God to help us live lives that bring honor and glory to God’s name. We should be a people of prayer always.

How often do you honestly pray – that is, a prayer which is not simply a fulfillment of a habit?  When you pray, for what and for whom do you pray?

Passage for Tomorrow: Hebrews 13:20-21

No comments: