The writer to the Hebrews has been explaining how much better the New Covenant is than the Old. He has pointed out, amongst other things, that the New Covenant is enacted on better promises than the Old, that its mediator, Jesus, is greater than the mediator of Old Covenant, Moses, that Christ is of a better priesthood than Aaron and his sons, and that Christ has offered a better sacrifice than they did. In Chapter 9, he indicates that under the Old Covenant, there was no way into the holy place of the earthly temple for a worshiper, before showing that Christ has opened a way into the heavenly presence of God for the worshipers of the New Covenant.
Last time we focused on the fact that we have this wonderful access to God, purchased for us by the shedding of Christ's blood.
In our text this week, the writer applies all this teaching to his readers (hence the first word, "Therefore..."). He indicates that since we now have confidence to enter the holy place in heaven through the blood of Christ, we should do three things:
Last time we focused on the fact that we have this wonderful access to God, purchased for us by the shedding of Christ's blood.
In our text this week, the writer applies all this teaching to his readers (hence the first word, "Therefore..."). He indicates that since we now have confidence to enter the holy place in heaven through the blood of Christ, we should do three things:
- we should draw near to God in sincerity, resting on Christ alone and the access He has purchased for us
- we should unflinchingly maintain our testimony of faith in Jesus, since He is faithful and will do all He has promised to do for us under the New Covenant
- we should consider how to stimulate our brothers and sisters to love and good deeds
It is in this context that the writer says there is one thing we should not do - we should not stop meeting together but should encourage one another.
Where is the application of this to prayer? Simply this: there is no point in our Christian lives at which we are more dependent on the access that Christ died to obtain for us than when we pray. The writer says, "draw near to God using the way that Christ opened up for you - don't stop meeting together!" He says, "encourage one another to remain faithful in your testimony of Christ - don't stop meeting together!" Finally, he says, "think about how you can stimulate each other to love and good deeds - don't stop meeting together!"
When we meet together for prayer, we are entering God's presence ("drawing near") through the blood of Jesus. In doing so, we are strengthened and confirmed in our walk with Him and for Him, and as we engage in prayer with our brothers and sisters we are not only doing a good work, but we are stimulated in our love for God and for one another.
How would the readers of the letter to the Hebrews be able to follow the three injunctions from the writer if they never met, or if they grew slack in their assembling together as a church? How would they encourage each other? What would be the results if they assembled less regularly? It seems likely they would not be as close to God, but would be weaker in standing for Jesus before the world and would know less love and less service of one another in their midst. That is a condition none of us would (or should) want to be in!
In closing, note one thing more about the failure of the members of a church to meet together: the writer says it can become habitual (or customary). This is something we can all identify with. We begin our Christian life with regular attendance at all the meetings of the church (we can't get enough!) and then over time, for various reasons, we change our ways. The prayer meeting is the first to go (as a rule) and then one of the Sunday services follows. For some, complete abandonment of the fellowship and a time of backsliding and barrenness is the end point.
So let's listen to the writer to the Hebrews this week. Let's do all the things we should do in the light of the access to God that we have been granted in Christ (draw near to God, stand firm in Christ, stimulate love and service in the church), and let's avoid (or get out of) the habit of not meeting together, since it is when we meet that we will enjoy fully the benefits and blessings that Christ died to be able to grant us!