Dear Family and Friends,

As mentioned in a previous message, the book of Hebrews was written to Jewish Christians under threat for their faith.

The attacks left them distraught. They felt abandoned by God. 

In Hebrews 3, the writer reminded them that during the Exodus their ancestors also felt abandoned.

They expected the Promised Land. What they got instead was a miserable journey through the desert.

The writer then offered the Hebrews a few words of advice. Advice that is helpful for us today.

“So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did.’”  Hebrews 3:7-9 NIV

What does it mean to harden your hearts?

It means to grow bitter and cynical. To stop trusting God, His abilities and intentions. And finally, to lose hope.

So, what can we do to prevent a hardening heart?

“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”  Hebrews 3:13 NIV

The Greek word for ‘encourage’ – parakaleó – actually means much more than our current use of the word.

It means to call someone to one’s side and either exhort, admonish, or comfort them.

For example, exhorting others to live out their faith, strongly urging adherence to the teachings of Christ, or giving comfort in times of distress.

Another way we refer to these acts is: Speaking the truth, giving grace, or both.

How do we know when to exhort, strongly urge or comfort someone?

After all they’re all different, and the wrong words spoken at the wrong time can lead to disastrous results.

This next passage lays the foundation for the answer.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:14-16 NIV

We have in Jesus a high priest who, because He became man, is able to discern when someone is in need of the truth or grace.

For example, when their brother Lazarus died, Martha and Mary independently said these same words to Jesus.

“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”  (See John 11:21 & 32 NIV)

Jesus exhorted Martha by saying, “Your brother will rise again.” Jesus continued, “I am the resurrection and the life…”

But Jesus’ reaction to Mary was very different. He comforted Mary. After seeing her weeping, Jesus wept.

There was another time when we saw Jesus do what we all should strive to do – speak the truth with grace.

To the woman caught in adultery, Jesus said this.

“Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”  John 8:11 NIV

Jesus could have condemned her, but He didn’t. In fact, He was able to stop others from doing the same.

Jesus showed us how to speak the truth with grace. He showed us how to exhort, comfort and strongly urge someone all at the same time.

This, my friends, is what Hebrews 3:13 calls us to do, to parakaleó, to help and be available for one another daily. 

Now as we close, allow me to parakaleó us with these words:

We need each other. In times like these, when the world is threatening to shake our faith right out from under us – we need each other.

May I encourage you to find two or more friends, to hang on to each other, and check in with each other daily.

And this goes without saying, invite Jesus to be one of them.

In love always,