Friday after Easter - Devotions in Exile

Friday after Easter - Devotions in Exile

The lection for Friday after Easter:
Exodus 18:5-27
Hebrews 12:1-24

It has always been my observation that in the Epistles, there is so much packed into so little space. This passage from Hebrews is an incredible example of it. I encourage you to click the link above and go read it again. I could probably write a suggested thesis idea for theological dissertation for doctoral work, claiming I want to write on this chapter, and I would be told that I need to narrow it down – the topic is too broad. So, in an effort to give you a brief devotion (I know, you’re thinking, “That’d be a first!”), I am going to focus on just the first three verses.

We are to run with endurance the race set before us…

We are to do it with our eyes fixed on Jesus…

Why?

He is the Author and perfecter of our faith.

You are to run that race of this life, and you are do it by laying aside every encumbrance and every sin that easily entangles. Yes, there are things that entangle our running of the race of faith – the race we are to run in obedience to the Word and will of God.

Being at home and bored, there are all sorts of temptations to get us to swerve off course, the internet has a thousand distractions. Not all the distractions are bad, obviously you got this devotion from the internet, but some can be. How easy is it to find pornography? Did you look at your financial portfolio to see how your 401K, your mutual fund, or other investments are doing – and then get depressed and worried? Is that trusting in God above all things?

Our normal lives, without the intrusion of ‘safer-at-home’, social distancing, and the fear of contracting coronavirus have enough “encumbrances and temptations to sin that we are easily entangled.  Our new life’s situation certainly doesn’t make it any easier. Satan is gleefully laughing and singing for joy.

Fix your eyes on Jesus.

For the joy set before Him (you, me, and all sinners) endured the cross (to pay for our succumbing to the sins that entangle), despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (that is, the seat of power where He rules over all creation, over His Church, and over His eternal kingdom)

Yes, God is still in control – even though we are tempted to believe, because of what we appear to see with our eyes, seems to contradict this. But is God disciplining His children (all mankind), calling them to repentance for their unbelief in Him who gave them life?

Christ endured the hostility of sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. He was crucified so that you might know your forgiveness, and know His resurrection. Death could not hold Him! The tomb was empty on Easter morning! That is your future, a bodily resurrection like His that you may enjoy His kingdom forever.

It is this same Jesus who is the Author and Perfecter of your faith. Personally, that is good news! If my faith were up to me, there are days I am a failure. My mind wrestles with what I know has been revealed to me as truth in the Scriptures. I look around and worry, though Jesus tells me I cannot change anything. I get weary of the struggle and fail to come to Him with my burdens.

Then I look to Jesus – I am baptized! I am redeemed (bought from my sin)! I am in Christ a new creature, the one remade by Christ. He dwells within me beginning, strengthening, and will bring to completion – that faith He has authored. This is your hope, your confidence, your joy and strength!

We do run with endurance the race set before us. In Christ, we lay aside every encumbrance and every sin which so easily entangles us, for fixing our eyes on Jesus, He bears us up and carries us. Thanks be to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We pray: Almighty God, You brought us up out of the Egypt of hell and into the Zion of Christ’s Church through the Red Sea of the baptismal font. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that as we continue to wend our way through the wilderness of this sinful world, we would long for the pure spiritual milk of Your Word and receive the sustenance we need, until we are brought to the Promised Land of the life of the world to come.