Hebrews 4:14-16
Faith is defined in Hebrews 11: 1 as "... being sure of what
we hope for and certain of what we do not see." One might not see this
definition as a ringing endorsement for confident living. We desire in this
twenty-first century to live in the shelter of absolutes, where questions find
answers and doubts are overcome. "Seeing is believing," we boldly
proclaim. The Hebrews 11 definition of faith...not exactly the absolute many
are looking for.
It's interesting to see Jesus' definition of faith, offered to a
doubting disciple. Thomas brashly declared that he would not embrace
resurrection until he saw Jesus before him with nail prints in his hands and
feet, and a wound in his side. He further claimed that unless he could put his
fingers in the wounds themselves, he would not believe.. His disbelief surely
empowered his crude declaration. But when Jesus did appear before him, offering
freely the evidence Thomas demanded, he fell at his feet, proclaiming Jesus as
Lord. Then Jesus said, "Because you have seen me, you have
believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have
believed.”
Our text today challenges believers to "hold
firmly to the faith" and "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." Words like firmly and confidence might not
seem appropriate here, and yet, they are absolutely vital. The cross is our
destination in this season of Lent, but the road that leads us there is full of
uncertainty. Sure of what we hope for...certain of what we do not see,
we take each step in faith, for there, at the cross, you and I receive
mercy and find grace.
Prayer: Dear God, mercy and grace are gifts of
the cross. By faith, may we hold firmly, confidently to these gifts.
Amen.
Jim Abernathy
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