Hebrews 2:3
Because of what Jesus did, Christians are to remember the following. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Hebrews 2:1). Give the more earnest heed means “to apply one’s mind to something; attend to that person or thing spoken of.” As Christians, who hear of the things of Christ, it is imperative that the things taught are implemented in one’s life “lest at any time we should let them slip.” Lest at any time we should let them slip means “to be cautious in allowing something to slip away, suggesting a gradual and almost unnoticed movement past a certain point; to move stealthily as a thief; to glide away; to swerve or deviate from something, i.e.: truth, law, precepts, to transgress, to disobey: lest we drift away from that which we have heard.” This is a warning not to depart from the foundational teachings of what Jesus did for Christians. Be careful that you do not disregard God’s Salvation given by the life of His Son, Jesus.
“For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward” (Hebrews 2:2). The angels in the Old Testament that are referred to in this verse are the messengers of God who delivered His Word to the people. Moses was one who gave them the Ten Commandments that came from God. Do you remember the fourth commandment? “8. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10. But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work …” (Exodus 20:8-10a). They were told to not do any work on the Sabbath day. However, we find an instance when one gathered sticks on the Sabbath day. “32. And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 33. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 34. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 35. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. 36. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses” (Numbers 15:32-36). Judgment was swift. The man who willingly broke God’s Law was put to death. This event is to put us in mind as to what Hebrews 2:2 is speaking: “every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward.” (See also Hebrews 10:26-28.) In the Old Testament, “just recompense” was often swift and severe. However, we never hear again in the Scriptures of another person gathering sticks on the Sabbath. I believe all remembered that event and learned something important.
Having that event in mind, read the following verse: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Hebrews 2:3). Many people heard Jesus speak of this salvation, and it was confirmed by many witnesses who recorded this in the Bible (“first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him”). What is this salvation? Read the three following verses to help in the understanding.
- “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31).
- “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
- “But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10).
Because of what Jesus did upon the cross, one can receive salvation. However, it must not be neglected. If we neglect means “to be careless of; make light of, neglect, be negligent, not regard.” It is sometimes easy for Christians who are living here on earth to forget that they belong to Jesus and are to obey His Word instead of compromising to the world’s ways. After understanding the previous verses, Christians are to recognize the importance of not “neglecting” the salvation we have received, purchased with the death of Christ on the cross. With this knowledge, we are to realize the importance of appropriating the faith of Christ in our hearts into the actuality of our lives. All of the world needs to see and understand by a Christian’s lifestyle just what has happened in that heart. A Christian is to live so like Christ that anyone who sees wants what that Christian has: Salvation only by faith in Jesus.
Have you disregarded the “so great salvation” of God?
Or
Have you appropriated your faith in Jesus into the actuality of your life?