(19) Fixated on Jesus our Inheritance - Hebrews 3:7-4:2 (p56f)

 

(19) Fixated on Jesus our Inheritance - Hebrews 3:7-4:2 (p56f)

 

Fixated: Advent Meditations from the Book of Hebrews

Tim Chester

10 of those, 2020 ISBN: 9781913278953 73pp

https://www.10ofthose.com/uk/products/26683/fixated

 

Look again at Hebrews 3v7. It’s as if the writer to the Hebrews makes two mistakes as he quotes Psalm 95. He should have said “So, as the Psalmist said:” but rather he says, “So, as the Holy Spirit says:” Do you see the differences? Of course the Psalms were written by human writers out of and for their original contexts. But the Bible is God’s Word to his church for all ages. What the Bible says, God says. The Bible is breathed out by God, God-spirited. God spoke through David (4v7). The Bible is God’s word which comes to us on the breath of his Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks the words of Scripture to all God’s people today. We must understand it carefully, of course, thinking about its original context, but the Bible is ever-relevant and applicable to us. It is not just God’s words to them then but God’s words for us now. Christ addresses you and me in the Scriptures by the power of the Holy Spirit. And that same Spirit is at work in our hearts to grant us understanding (illumination). Let us always come to God’s words humbly and expectantly ready to live in the light of all that the Holy Spirit says to us today. May we be quick to repent and respond rightly to God’s Word. (Isaiah 66:2)

 

Further reading: Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:14-17; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10 especially vv5, 11.

 

The Collect for the Last Sunday after Trinity (sometimes called Bible Sunday):

 

Blessed Lord,

who caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning:

help us so to hear them,

to read, mark, learn and inwardly digest them

that, through patience, and the comfort of your holy word,

we may embrace and for ever hold fast

the hope of everlasting life,

which you have given us in our Saviour Jesus Christ,

who is alive and reigns with you,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

 

Who could you encourage today? This week? How? Maybe you could open the Bible with someone or share something from the Scriptures?

 

Song: Speak O Lord as we come to you - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tPp8ov7cks