Monday 31 December 2018

Psalm: Psalm 117  

Background

New Year’s Eve can be hectic but it can also be a time of reflection.

What have been the highlights and low points of the past year?

What are we hoping for in the year to come?

How will we attempt to turn those hopes into reality?

Who do we want to travel with and who have we lost?

Where is God on this next chapter of the journey?

Hebrews is a general letter to Jewish Christians in which the writer reminds them of the great overview of the story of Jesus. God’s son became a man and died to overcome evil and rescue humanity. Because he was fully human, he understands us fully and seeks to gain salvation for the flesh-and-blood “descendants of Abraham” whom he loves (v 16), not more other-worldly creatures.

The writer asserts that the Hebrews are not disconnected from Christ – rather they are his brothers and sisters, family members, honoured and loved. He understands their sufferings because he too has suffered immensely – but has also overcome that suffering.

There is a sense of solidarity in this reading – a reminder of the incarnation that we are celebrating throughout the Christmas period – Emmanuel – God with us.

However, the other word that really strikes me in this passage is the use of the phrase “pioneer of salvation”. We use the word ‘pioneer’ in a church context to mean someone who is starting something new, pitching a tent somewhere unfamiliar, seeking to make new connections and uncovering new ways of seeing God at work.

Jesus, in ‘pitching his tent’ with us, asks to us to gather round as true family members, to recognise what he has done for us, and to ask ‘where next?’ As we travel into a New Year, these are good words to take with us.

To Ponder:

• What are the experiences that you want to celebrate and give thanks for from the last 12 months? What do you need to grieve over and let go of?
• How can the image of Jesus as a pioneer encourage you as the world moves into 2019?