It goes without saying that being persecuted is a terrible thing to go through, whether it is because of who you are or what you believe in. No one wants to go through attacks of any sort, whether physically, verbally, or economically. There are many places around the world where Christians are suffering varying degrees of persecution, and this has been the case since the early days of the Apostles. Our New Testament reading for this week highlights the persecution that some Christians in the early days of the Church endured, and the encouragement they were given to carry on faithfully for the Lord.
The Epistle to the Hebrews was written primarily to Jewish Christians, men and women who had converted from a Jewish background to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah. Many of these new believers’ families turned against them when they became Christians, particularly those in Israel and Judah. Many of them were disowned by their families and disinherited. If the new believer was a married woman and her husband wasn’t, her husband often would divorce her, kick her out of the house, and keep her children from her. If she could, she might go back to her family, but often they had also disowned her. If they were a male, he often was fired from his job if his employer was Jewish, and then found it difficult to get another job, thus bringing financial hardship on his family. Because Israel was occupied by the Romans, and a part of the Roman empire, they did not have the authority to put anyone to death, however that wouldn’t stop angry neighbors and family members from making other covert attacks against a Jewish convert to Christianity, such as burning down their house or physically assaulting them when the law was looking the other way.
Because of these frequent persecutions, some of these new believers were becoming quite discouraged. Some were even considering going back to their former Jewish faith. They figured that by doing so they might get their job back, their family might accept them back again, and it would end the attacks.
The unknown author of this epistle warned them not to do this. He proceeded to send them much encouragement while they endured the oppression and mistreatment they were going through. He urged them to remember the times in the past. Shortly after they were saved they went through a similar time of persecution, where they were reproached and went through tribulations (vs. 32-33). In those days they even uplifted and gave support and cheer to others going through similar treatment, including that author while he was imprisoned (vs. 34). They didn’t allow the fact that many of them had their belongings taken to bother them, as they knew that their true reward was in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21).
However, now years of harsh persecution was wearing them down. The writer had reason to believe that some were going to cast away their faith. He warned them not to do this, as after they had endured, they would receive God’s promise (vs. 35-36). Jesus is coming back. It may be a little while, he wrote, but He will not tarry, He will not delay any longer than is decreed in heaven (vs. 37). He warned them that God is not pleased with any who draw back, away from their faith (vs. 38). He wants to believe that they are not those who abandon their faith to damnation, but instead are genuinely saved, true believers (vs. 39).
Are any of you enduring persecution for your faith, or are going through some other heavy struggle that is causing you to think twice about your faith, and perhaps are tempted to just turn away from your beliefs? Like these early Christians, hold on to your faith. Don’t be one who draws back. Hold on to the fact that God is still on His throne, and that we know Jesus will come again!
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