Time to Grow Up
Opening Prayer
“Please give me … diligence to seek you; wisdom to find you; a spirit to know you; a heart to meditate on you” (St Benedict).
Read Hebrews 5:11-6:3
[11] We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. [12] In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! [13] Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. [14] But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. [1] Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, [2] instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [3] And God permitting, we will do so. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What are we called to move on to?We have all looked back on our younger selves with embarrassment. How could we have been so unaware or immature? The author has just talked about Jesus as being “made perfect” and now focuses on the imperfections of his readers. They are immature.This charge is made elsewhere by Paul (1 Corinthians 3) and Peter (1 Peter 2). In these cases the symptoms of immaturity lie in ungodly behavior, showing that the churches are not ready for anything more than the basic “milk” of Christian teaching.Here the charge is different: the Hebrew Christians need deeper teaching. Their present “curriculum” outlined in 6:1–3 exposes the weakness of their faith. All these things were held by any Jew who accepted the whole of the Old Testament. Even the resurrection of the dead (6:2) was accepted by Pharisees. The Hebrew Christians were precariously close to slipping back into Judaism. What practical difference did Jesus make to them? The same question could be asked of someone who sees the Christian faith as “living a decent life.” The author’s whole argument has been to show how Christ is not merely optional but indispensable.
Apply
“Fix your thoughts on Jesus” (3:1). Make him the center of your day in every way.
Closing prayer
Son of God, Risen Christ, Lord of all, You are at the center of it. I want to know You above all.
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