A reminder from the writer of Hebrews to do what many of us think of as normal life! We all share things do we not? But the suggestion is that sharing is a sacrifice! When we compare our sacrifices with the sacrifice Jesus made for us, we must be humbled.
Today many children are taught about things the Lord has done, in Sunday schools or in schools run by church organisations, depending on where they live. Bible stories are good lessons to learn. But much more impressive is a personal story, when we can say God did that for me!
This is from the farewell speech Jesus made when He warned His disciples that He was leaving them to continue His work. They would be continuing all they had learned from Him because He was soon to go home to Heaven. His hearers had no idea what that really meant.
We all have experiences in life when we do not know which way to turn, or who to turn to. The Lord is effectively saying Turn to Me, I will show you the way forward. How sad that many believers do not do as Isaiah suggests in our verse today.
God sees what is happening in our hearts, and His plan is that our lives follow the example of Jesus and His way of loving others. The consequence of our actions may then inspire others and be instrumental in leading them to Jesus. Our behaviour must be a good example.
The first phrase in our verses today is a message for many believers to stop mixing with the wrong people, or to stop sinful habits. We have all met people who could be a bad influence. And many Christians have resisted getting involved with them, but they need our prayers.
Adam and Eve must have seen that tree in the middle of the garden hundreds of times. But the had not really looked at it, because in their memories, they had heard the order from God to not touch it. Sadly Eve remembered too late not to eat from it.
As a child in Sunday school I was always encouraged to learn a Bible verse each week. As I remember some of those verses even today more than 70 years on, I realise that it was a good thing to do. Jesus encouraged His disciples to remember what He said.
The image of millions of obedient believers sitting at the side of Jesus on His Heavenly throne is a difficult one to imagine. We must not think of the throne as being like an earthly throne for an earthly king. But more an inner chamber where major decisions are made.
The suggestion in the verses above is that eating together helps us get to know each other. In many cultures of the world people invite new colleagues or neighbours for a snack or a meal, as a gesture of friendship. The church on earth should be a reflection of Heaven.