Hold Fast...

Lectionary 33 Pentecost + 26

Year B

17 November 2024

Daniel 12:1-3

Psalm 16

Hebrews 10:11-25

Mark 13:1-8

Timeless One,

you create all moments of our lives,

giving each its meaning and its purpose.

Strengthen us to witness continually

to the love of Jesus Christ,

so that we may hold fast in times of trial,

even to the end of the ages.  Amen.

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Today we are able to see that there is a reassurance in the passage from Hebrews.

A reassurance that has the ability to bring us peace as we live our lives of faith.

Today’s passage from Hebrew’s reminds us of Jesus’ role in clearing away the barriers between us and God caused by the sin of the world.

Hebrew’s tells us: “11 Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” … 14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are

sanctified.” (Heb 10:11-12, 14)

In just two verses the author of Hebrews reminds us of how God, through the passion, the crucifixion, and the resurrection has offered, and it has been received the ultimate sacrifice for sin. And it’s this sacrifice, given and received that gives each one of us the ability to stand in God’s presence.

And this is huge…

I was pondering, the other day, how God’s love is given to us, and what we are able to do with that love that we feel and that we desire to share with God.

God’s love comes down.

It comes down to earth in the birth of Jesus.

It comes down in God’s actions through Jesus and through Jesus’ actions on our behalf on the cross.

So, we receive God’s love. It’s not something we’ve earned, rather it’s a gift. And because it comes to us from God, it is this love that we are able to, and we are encouraged to share the love of God to the world all around.

The author of Hebrews refers to this as he reminds us of Jeremiah’s words, Jeremiahs’ prophesy: “16 “This is the covenant that I

will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will

write them on their minds,” 17 he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no

more.”” (Heb 10:16-17 see also Jer 31:31-34)

Jeremiah reminds us that God is, and wants, to be a part of our lives, as he reminded the Hebrew people, as he reminded us, that God’s forgiveness is always before us.

In that same vein, we see Jesus presented as the great high priest who is able to offer absolution once and for all. 

“11 Every priest stands day after day at his service, offering again and again the same sacrifices that

can never take away sins. 12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he

sat down at the right hand of God,”” (Heb 10:11-12)

Because of Jesus’ actions God’s love is manifest in the world.

Because of Jesus actions on the cross, our focus is able to shift from constantly and solely seeking to be reconciled to / with God.

But there is so much more than that.

Rather we are encouraged to live within that love and forgiveness toward the world and those who may not have this knowledge, this reassurance.

Because of Jesus’ actions on the cross for you, for me, and for all who believe, we are able to live this love this assurance of our ability to stand in God’s presence in and to the world.

Hebrew’s encourages us: “20 by the new and

living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), 21 and since we have

a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience …  23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering … 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” (Heb 10:20-22a, 23a, 24)

So, then, as we’ve been pondering in this passage, this is our assurance.

This is our ability to sleep deeply and peacefully through the night because we know that it is because of Jesus’ actions, it is through Jesus’ examples and his teachings that we are able to live this assurance to the world.

St. Francis Assisi is one of my favourite saints. Among other things, he is the founder of the mendicant order of Franciscan monks and his focus was on peace and love between within and between all of humanity.

One of his primary expressions is: “At all times preach the gospel. If necessary, use words.”

And this brings us back to living our lives of faith to the world around us.

This brings us back to sharing the love of God with all the world, reminding us, reminding others, and even introducing those who don’t know to the love of God.

And all of this reminds us to encourage each other in the love and grace of God, in the forgiveness of God as often as we meet each other.

History is filled with the ups and downs of human society as we seek to move forward. Even the gospel for today refers to this.

The gospel tells us: “1 As Jesus came out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher, what large stones and what large buildings!” 2 Then Jesus asked him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left here upon another; all will be thrown down.”” (Mk 13:1-2)

Looking back at world history we realize Jesus was referring to the destruction of the Temple by the Romans between 75-79 CE.

But Jesus words are still true.

Throughout history we have seen civilizations rise and we have seen civilizations fall.

We have seen false leaders rise up and we have seen how death, destruction, and hardship have followed in their wakes.

In today’s gospel, we see the disciples ask Jesus about his comments about the future of the Temple.

They ask: “What will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?” 5 Then Jesus began to say to them, “Beware that no one leads you astray. 6 Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come.” (Mk 13:4b-7)

On our own, and left to our own devices, we forget all that God, through Jesus has done for each one of us. And so, we return to the passage from Hebrews for today.

We return to the authors emphasis that it is not on our own or by our own merits that we believe.

It’s not by our own effort that we encourage each other and the stranger in our midst.

We return to the idea that God’s love descends upon us and we, in turn, share that love, that forgiveness, that assurance in all directions.

It’s because of God’s action through Jesus that we are able to come before the throne of God; and this is what we celebrate.

This is what we remember and what we remind each other, not just when we gather together but when we forget the reason we are encouraged to gather. We are encouraged to refresh each other in the love of God.

Hebrews reminds us: “22 let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean … and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds.” (Heb 10:22-24)

Jesus warns, in today’s gospel, that life isn’t easy.

He reminds us that following Jesus means keeping vigilant for the presence of God’s love in our world.

We know that what our hearts desire, will and is able to come with pitfalls especially when we forget what the writer of Hebrews emphasizes in today’s passage.

We are reminded: “14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. 15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us, for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds,” 17 he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” 18 Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.” (Heb 10:14-18)

And so, because of this action, because of these words, we are able to stand in each others presence.

We are able to stand, together, before God.

We are able to encourage each other and to not only embrace but live into this reassurance, trusting in God, through Jesus to provide the next steps in life until we stand shoulder to shoulder before God’s throne.

Amen.