“Pay… attention.”

I love that phrase.

It feels more poignant than ever. These days most of us pay social media giants, streaming services, and host of other companies and conglomerates a portion of our attention in return for entertainment, or targeted services. What’s more, they do such a good job of convincing us that this investment is worthwhile that over the past decade or so they have diverted our “attention investment” away from family, friends, and churches, in order that we might reinvest them there.

The writer of Hebrews suggests a better plan.

“Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard,lest we drift away from it.”

Hebrews 2:1

What have you heard? How would you articulate the good news? Are there particular Bible verses you hold dear? It is all very well seeking to invest our attention well, but first we need to identify where it should go. That’s where the angels come in.

“For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”

Hebrews 2:2-3a

Every now and then I’ll catch a clip of Shark Tank in the US, or Dragon’s Den over here, and one question comes up again and again. It doesn’t matter how good to pitch was, they want to know how the business is faring so far. The moral: Never invest in anything that hasn’t proven true. The angels came with news of Jesus birth and resurrection, they were dazzling, heavenly beings, with great power. That isn’t the amazing part though. The shepherds found the boy they spoke of, and hundreds saw the resurrected Jesus. This news is something worth investing in. It proved true.

“It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard”

Hebrews 2:3b

What next? Well, we do what the disciples did. This gospel—the good news—didn’t remain in their minds, for them alone to dwell on. If we truly give our attention, our lives, our everything to God, then we will share it with others. Can you attest to God’s goodness in your own life? Who then can you share it with? The writer of Hebrews goes further.

“while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

Hebrews 2:4

In churches the world over today, these gifts are still at work. Pastors are exercising the gift of teaching, others have been blessed with hospitality in abundance, and wise and discerning members of church communities are helping others to wade through spiritual wildernesses. Our God was, and is, and is to come. He spoke before any other word was spoken, and still speaks today.

Pay attention.

Jesus is still moving, his body on earth acting on his behalf.

That should be wondrous to us. Therefore…

Let’s pray.

Praying through the Bible

Lord,

Thank you for the many ways by which you have proven your faithfulness.For your Word from the beginning,For your messengers from heaven and earth,For the preaching we will hear today,For the gifts you have given your church,by which you build us up in the faith.

Help us to hold firm to these truths today,and pay close attention to the news we have heard.Let it ever be on our lips, on our mind,and the driving force behind our steps.

Amen

Today’s Readings

Hebrews 2:1-4

Psalm 22

Exodus 1-3

Jerahmeel also had another wife, whose name was Atarah; she was the mother of Onam. The sons of Ram, the firstborn of Jerahmeel: Maaz, Jamin, and Eker. The sons of Onam: Shammai and Jada. The sons of Shammai: Nadab and Abishur. The name of Abishur's wife was Abihail, and she bore him Ahban and Molid. The sons of Nadab: Seled and Appaim; and Seled died childless.

— 1 Chronicles 2:26-30

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