Hebrews 3 (1)

Introduction
We have a heavenly calling, a calling that comes fromheaven, leads toheaven, and immerses us inheaven in between. Perhaps the writer’s first readers had forgotten this?

Meditate on Psalm 95.

Read Hebrews 3.1.

Think it through.
1.  Twice in this chapter the writer will use the word partaker. The Greek is “μέτοχος: one who shares with someone else as an associate in an enterprise or undertaking – companion, partner” (Louw & Nida). Here he says we are partakers of a “heavenly calling”. What is involved in that word calling? In what sense is our calling heavenly? Is it heavenly even now? In what ways? How are we partakersin this calling? Why did the writer think it was important to remind his readers of this? Jesus partook of an earthlycalling (chapter 2) in order to imbue us with a heavenlycalling (chapter 3). Why?

2.  He addresses them as “holy brethren”. What does the word holy mean? In what sense are all Christians holy, even though they may be drifting from the Lord? How does having been madeholy obligate us to pursue holiness (Heb. 12.14; cf. 2 Cor. 7.1)? What does that entail? If we are actively pursuing holiness, will we be moreor lesslikely to drift from our great salvation? Explain.

Meditate.
“But once for all heavenly things were made accessible to humans, when one of us humans was assumed and, according to the law of human nature, died and was raised from the dead in a marvelous fashion and, because immortal and incorruptible by nature, ascended into heaven.” Theodore of Mopsuestia (350-428 AD)

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised usup together, and made ussit together in the heavenly placesin Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in Hiskindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2.4-7

I have a heavenly calling, Lord, and it’s not just for the then and there. Now and here I’m called to… 

Pray Psalm 95.
Read through this psalm, praying the words just as they are, without changes. Pray them thoughtfully and meaningfully. Let the Spirit’s words in this psalm become your words as you pray.

Psalm 95.1-11 (Tidings: O Zion Haste, Thy Mission High Fulfilling)
Come, let us sing with joy to God, our Savior!
Let us with joy to Him, our Rock, bow down!
Come now before Him, grateful for His favor;
Let joyful psalms break forth from all around.
Refrain v. 6
Come let us worship, kneel to our Lord;
Worship our Maker: Father, Holy Spirit, Word.

Great are You, Lord, a King above all nations.
All of earth’s depths lie hidden in Your hand.
Yours are the mountains, Yours the sea, You made it;
You by Your hands created the dry land.
Refrain

You are our God, we are Your sheep, Your people:
Speak, Lord, and let us hearken to Your Word.
Let not our hearts grow hard through sin, and feeble,
As when our fathers sinned against You, Lord.
Refrain

Long years You loathed that wicked generation,
Who in their hearts, rebelled against Your path.
Them You forsook, and kept from Your salvation;
Them You subjected to Your fearsome wrath.
Refrain

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.