Today’s reading is Hebrews 10.
When the original readers of Hebrews first turned to Jesus, they went through hardships. Significant ones. Honestly, I’ve never been through these kinds of hardships myself. They were publicly exposed to reproach and affliction. I mean sure, I’ve been made fun of on occasion, but not on a level I’d call affliction. Further, this is connected to being put in prison. I’ve never been put in prison for my faith. Though, I did have the cops called on me once for trying to follow up with some fallen Christians. They accepted the plundering of their property. Wow! Because they were disciples of Jesus, some people seized, plundered, stole their possessions. Someone broke into my truck once, but not because I was a Christian. This isn’t just someone happening to be robbed by an opportunistic criminal. This is people targeting Christians because they’re Christians to take their stuff. This would include suing for the Christians’ cloaks and tunics and getting away with it because the judges hated the Christians as well. This would include being driven out of their homes. This would include having land taken away and flocks and herds being confiscated.
These Christians joyfully accepted the plunder. They didn’t complain and groan about it. They didn’t countersue. They accepted it and counted it all joy. Why? Because their earthly goods were not their greatest possessions. They were looking forward to the eternal possessions and the heavenly city. We might be homeless on earth, but we have a greater home waiting. We would rather be homeless temporarily on earth if that is where faithfulness to Jesus leads, than give up our eternal home with Jesus to protect our present possessions. Of course, here is the shocking point of the passage. Sometimes that is exactly where we end up. Sometimes, if we are not careful, in our attempts to store up and protect our earthly possessions, property, and home, we give up our heavenly possessions, property, and home. Sometimes to build up and protect our heavenly possessions, property, and home, we have to sacrifice our earthly possessions, property, and home. Sometimes, we really do have to choose.
Remember, where your treasure is your heart will be also. Where is your heart? Where is your better possession?
Tomorrow’s reading is Hebrews 10.
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- Why is our eternal home a better possession than our present one?
- Why is it hard to think of our eternal home as a better possession than our present one?
- How do we help each other develop and maintain a faith that would joyfully let others plunder our possessions in persecution in order to stay faithful to Jesus and look forward to our eternal home?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
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