Hebrews 10:32-39

³²Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. ³³Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated^{. 34}You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. ³⁵So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. ³⁶You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. ³⁷For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” ³⁸ And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure

    in the one who shrinks back.” ³⁹ But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

Hold on to Jesus Christ

The rich development of the previous chapters, explaining and celebrating the greatness of Jesus, his superiority over the esteemed figures of Judaism, and the perfection of the new covenant over the old, has a particularly powerful resonance for people of Jewish background, as some of the readers of this letter were. This, and the recalling of how well they defended their faith in times of persecution, when the Roman Empire did not accept Christianity, encouraged them to stay the course. Did their motivation begin to wane, or were they being held back by their traditions? The encouragement also comes with a warning: do not forsake your faith in Jesus or you will be destroyed.

Today in Zurich, one of the cradles of the 16^th century Protestant Reformation, Christianity is still officially recognized, although the challenges to follow God’s will may be different. Financial resources enable one to work for the Kingdom, as IPC members do well in supporting Christian ministry to the Shan. But it may become problematic if it leads to self-sufficiency, as explained in the letter to the church in Laodicea that we recently studied. Or else, for believers to marry non-believers, which is a threat to staying faithful to God, as we learnt from the account of King Solomon, and that was strongly denounced by Nehemiah.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we praise you as the most high authority in the universe, for and through whom all has been created. We worship you and give thanks for the redemption you powerfully acquired and generously apply to us through your perpetual priesthood before our Holy Father.

By the Holy Spirit, please help members of your body who have to endure persecution so that they are able to keep their commitment to you. Please also keep our minds enlighted and our hearts burning for you, so that we stay faithful and win the race. Amen.