Daily Readings - Tue Jan 19 2021
Hebrews
10For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.11And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end,12so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.13For when God made a promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself,14saying, "Surely I will bless you and multiply you."15And thus Abraham, having patiently waited, obtained the promise.16For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.17So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath,18so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.19We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,20where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.
Mark
23One Sabbath he was going through the grainfields, and as they made their way, his disciples began to pluck heads of grain.24And the Pharisees were saying to him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?"25And he said to them, "Have you never read what David did, when he was in need and was hungry, he and those who were with him:26how he entered the house of God, in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the bread of the Presence, which it is not lawful for any but the priests to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him?"27And he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.28So the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath."
Sermon
**Sermon Reflection on Hebrews 6:10-20 and Mark 2:23-28**
In today's readings, we encounter powerful messages about trust, hope, and compassion. The first reading from Hebrews reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness and the unshakeable nature of His promises. Using Abraham as an example, Hebrews encourages us to persevere in hope, trusting that God's promises are our anchor in uncertain times. This passage, likely addressing early Christians facing challenges, underscores the importance of maintaining faith and hope, with Jesus as our steadfast anchor.
The Gospel from Mark presents a scenario where Jesus and His disciples encounter criticism for their actions on the Sabbath. Jesus defends their behavior by referencing David's actions and emphasizing that the Sabbath is for humanity's benefit, not the other way around. This highlights Jesus' authority and His focus on human well-being over rigid legalism. This passage, part of early conflicts with Pharisees, teaches us to prioritize people's needs and acts of love over strict adherence to rules.
Both readings converge on themes of trust and faith. Hebrews urges us to trust God's promises, while Mark shows Jesus trusting God's will and teaching about the Sabbath's true purpose. Together, they encourage us to trust God, live according to His will, and balance compassion with tradition.
In daily life, these teachings remind us to maintain hope in God's faithfulness, especially during challenges. From Mark, we learn to avoid letting rules hinder acts of love and care for others. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's faithfulness, keep hope alive, and practice compassion, as Jesus did when He allowed His disciples to pick grain on the Sabbath. Let us embrace trust, hope, and compassion, living as reflections of God's love in the world.