The ‘Day approaching’ 10:25 is a reference to the Second Coming, as is v.37.  The dynamic of argument/exhortation, now highlighting a warning, is set in the context of Jesus return to the earth.  No-one knows when Jesus is coming back, but today the event is a day closer than it was yesterday.  Just as with any generation, we can say it may be in our day.  As this is so, it behoves us to take seriously the warning of this passage.  Even if the Second Coming does not occur in our day, none of us knows the day of our demise.  We are told to count aright our days and take to heart this warning, while we still have opportunity to amend our lives.

Again, considering the flight of first century persecuted Jewish believers in Rome to the sanctuary of the synagogue, the writer to the Hebrews points out the relative perfection of Jesus’ blood v.19, to the blood of sacrificed animals, in cleansing the conscience from the guilt of sin v.24.

This is all the more pertinent in our own day when some parts of the modern church,  may teach easy grace, where sin is rarely mentioned, the attitude of once saved always saved is taught instead of attending to the importance of repentance. This passage makes clear that the guilt of sin is within all (Romans), and since Christ alone has power to reach and cleanse the depths of the human psyche, he alone can save from the wrath of God 10:31.

Yesterday, we touched on the current Covid restrictions on churches and worship.  Ironically, the writer to the Hebrews in today’s passage goes on to exhort his readers to never give up going to church (10:25); because one of its many functions is the spiritual development of its congregants and not spiritual retardation. As F.F.Bruce puts it: ‘Christians….can spur one another on to love and good deeds (v.24). These things are of the essence of Christianity. Since their maintenance is dependent on the mutual interaction of the Christian society, it is absolutely essential that one assemble oneself with other Christians.’

I have been convicted by all this. Like everyone, I hate the masks, no singing, booking-in mandate of the recent time and I confess have been shocked at how easily I gave up attending church after 35 years.  Leadership’s role in this is unenviable. Usually it must encourage congregations to attend; (like parents encouraging their children to be good), a role that has been somewhat restricted.

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Pray for our leadership.