Looking out at the stars by our side

Linda Pollock February 03, 2024 1 8

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Hebrews 10: 24-25 (NRSVA)

24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I love that we are urged to “provoke one another to love and good works…”

Growing up with 5 siblings there was a lot of provoking in our house and rarely was it to love each other or to do good works for each other!

I wonder why this word, ‘provoke’ was used by the author of this epistle?

In our family, provoking was all about getting a reaction or a response. I think it’s the same in this text. By the way, never read one verse in isolation, always read the passage before and after to see the verse in context, it’s dangerous to do otherwise.

In verse 19 the word, “therefore,” is the key that unlocks the door as to why we are to provoke one another to love.

Because of Christ Jesus and His love for us, we are called to live as He lived, to love as He loved. But we easily forget – this is not a ‘guilt trip’ – it is my confession and, I am sure your confession too.

When life is difficult, when we feel God is too busy elsewhere to bother with us, when life is great and it’s okay for God to be busy elsewhere(!!) we simply forget.

Our work is remembering for ourselves and reminding others that we are loved and cherished. When was the last time you told someone how amazing they were? When was the last time you were told you were amazing? Our culture is not good at affirming one another, let’s look out at Christ Jesus and His good work born of love. Let’s defy our cultural norms and choose to speak out and live out love.

I invite you today to ask God who He has in mind for your blessing of love and good works today. You might be surprised at who God suggests. The truth is however, that we all need to be seen in the same way God sees us, as His beloved, amazing, gorgeous, clever, funny, gifted children.

Prayer:

O God Whose love and good works know neither beginning nor end, by Your Spirit, help us to live believing that we are Your beloved. As we look out at those around us, give us eyes to see them as You see them, and provoke us to love and good works for them. In the Name of Christ Jesus we pray, Amen.