Focus

Prepare yourself to discern what is and what is not of God today. Still yourself so you can hear how God is calling you.

Read

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper;
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Through him, then, let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that confess his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Reflect

Many scholars think that the book of Hebrews is a sermon, not a letter. Based on linguistic elements and the fact that it is not attributed to anyone in particular, many scholars also think this is a sermon preached by a woman. When I read Hebrews, I try to hear it as a sermon in a woman’s voice.

In the 13th chapter, our preacher goes from preaching to meddling! She begins by commanding us to let mutual love continue. No use letting go of a good thing. But then she continues giving examples, not necessarily of mutual love, but of love are called to offer whether it is mutual or not. Love strangers (we have to forget our mother’s “Don’t ever talk to strangers” speech), Prisoners (We are not allowed the luxury of “lock them up and throw away the key”), those being tortured (including those we might want to be tortured – or at least made uncomfortable), our spouses (sometimes those closest to us can be the hardest to love), and our leaders (I am guessing that either the name “Trump” or “Pelosi” gets your blood boiling and your loving heart shut down). We are to avoid the love of money and instead be content with what we have (talk about a meddling preacher!). We love all of these because we are followers of Jesus whose love is the same for everyone yesterday, today, and forever. How can you offer a sacrifice of love that will be pleasing to God today?

Pray

Lord Jesus Christ,
In a world full of inconsistency and hate, thank you for consistently, lavishly, and unfailingly loving me. Thank you for loving those who are hard to love (even me). Help me model your love today. In your name, Amen.

Go with God!