Hebrews – God’s Action in Jesus
I love to create centerpieces for our dining table. Our home has an open concept so the table is seen readily. It is fun to direct friends’ attention to the center of the table with something eye-catching and beautiful, reflecting the rest of the beauty and joy around us and in our home. That’s what centerpieces do…UNTIL we dump clutter on the table. Our table is also becomes a place to throw keys, mail, receipts, computer cords, phones, and other miscellaneous items that cover the centerpiece from view. Mm.
Our next passage tells us WE are the building. Every believing house has a builder. The builder behind them all is God. “Christ as Son is in charge of the house!” HE is the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave Him to do.. “Get a grip…take a good hard look at Jesus”. Look for Jesus in each other and give him glory. “I see Jesus in you when you _______”. Fill in the blank and tell others when you see Jesus in them. It’s encouraging!
Is Jesus what others see first in us? Is Jesus the centerpiece that draws the attention of others to Him in our lives? What do others see first in us? It is good to take a hard look and consider, ponder, meditate and wonder if our centerpiece has been covered with the clutter of this world distorting the view of The Centerpiece of joy, peace, love and salvation.
Hebrews 3, The Message
The Centerpiece of All We Believe1-6 So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He’s the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor. A builder is more valuable than a building any day. Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God. Moses did a good job in God’s house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come. Christ as Son is in charge of the house.
6-11 Now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence, we’re the house! That’s why the Holy Spirit says,
Today, please listen;
don’t turn a deaf ear as in “the bitter uprising,”
that time of wilderness testing!
Even though they watched me at work for forty years,
your ancestors refused to let me do it my way;
over and over they tried my patience.
And I was provoked, oh, so provoked!
I said, “They’ll never keep their minds on God;
they refuse to walk down my road.”
Exasperated, I vowed,
“They’ll never get where they’re going,
never be able to sit down and rest.”
12-14 So watch your step, friends. Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we’re in this with Christ for the long haul.
Dear Heavenly Father,Help us clear the clutter of all that distorts the view of YOU in us. It’s time to clean the house that you built. YOU are the centerpiece of our lives. YOU are the One we want others to see in us. Help us, Lord. Nothing is too hard for You. There is no one like You. Be the center of our lives. You are THE Centerpiece of all we believe. May others be drawn to you because of seeing You in us.
In Jesus Name, Amen
