FACETS

…how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? Hebrews 2:3a 

In Hebrews 2:1-4, we are warned about neglecting, or making light (v. 2) of this great salvation wrought in Jesus Christ, and which was solemnly affirmed and testified unto by the Triune God (vv. 3-4). There is enormous urgency (“we must”) to pay closer attention to these matters (v. 1), lest we become unmoored and “drift away,” letting it flow past us. How do we drift away? Through our spiritual apathy, indifference, and nonchalance towards the things of God. But if we treasure this salvation as constituting that which is GREAT, then we will remain focused, impassioned, mindful, vigilant, and watchful.

Hebrews 2 builds upon Hebrews 1, which testifies as to the incomparable glory of Christ, who, as Deity, stands infinitely above all that is creaturely—even those mighty ministers of fire, the angels of God! This salvation is so great because the Savior who wrought in on our behalf is so GREAT, and its cost was so GREAT, incurring so GREAT a penalty!

Salvation has been likened to a multi-faceted diamond, because it has so many different aspects and effects (e.g., election, propitiation, regeneration, justification, sanctification, reconciliation, adoption, glorification, etc.). In point of fact, the more facets a diamond has, the more lustrous it will appear. With salvation, no single facet represents the whole story, so each aspect must be individually contemplated and illumined so that the splendor of the whole can be appreciated.

Ultimately, we can never fully plumb the depths of the great doctrines of the Faith; their depths are bottomless, their devotional value is limitless, and their impassioned reflection is the very essence of worship. Even if your pastor is not super-eloquent, can we remain apathetic to so GREAT a salvation? 

Terry L. Reese