Let us not neglect our meeting together, . . . but encourage one another. Hebrews 10:25
Denmark is among the happiest countries in the world, according to the World Happiness Report. The Danes weather their lengthy, dark winters by gathering with friends to share a warm drink or a gracious meal. The word they use for the feelings associated with those moments is hygge (hoo-gah). Hygge helps them offset the impact of enjoying less sunlight than their counterparts at lower latitudes. By circling around a simple table with loved ones, their hearts are nourished.
The writer of Hebrews encourages gathering together as a community. He acknowledges that there will be difficult days—with challenges far more significant than the weather—requiring those who follow Christ to persevere in faith. Though Jesus has made certain our acceptance by God through our faith in the Savior, we may struggle against shame or doubt or real opposition. By gathering together, we have the privilege of encouraging one another. When we’re sharing company, we’re able to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” which bolsters our faith (Hebrews 10:24).
Gathering with friends doesn’t assure us of a ranking on a “happiness report.” It is, however, something the Bible offers as a means to bear us up in faith under the common frustrations of life. What a wonderful reason to seek out the community of a church or to open our homes—with an attitude of Danish simplicity—to nourish one another’s hearts!
A Call to Persevere in Faith
19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidencep to enter the Most Holy Placeq by the blood of Jesus,
20 by a new and living wayr opened for us through the curtain,s that is, his body,
21 and since we have a great priestt over the house of God,u
22 let us draw near to Godv with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings,w having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty consciencex and having our bodies washed with pure water.y
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hopez we profess,a for he who promised is faithful.b
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,c
25 not giving up meeting together,d as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one anothere—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.f
INSIGHT
- How has gathering together with others encouraged you?
- Who can you encourage with an open heart?
While the author of the letter to the Hebrews is anonymous, we’re given solid ideas about its intended audience. As the title of the book suggests, the first readers were Hebrews—in particular, Jews who’d come to faith in Jesus and were then scattered abroad due to persecution. Their Jewish identity is, in part, seen in the author’s use of temple and sacrifice imagery related to Judaism—then showing how the law was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. But in examining the text of the letter, many scholars are convinced that, in addition to the audience being Jewish believers in Christ, they also were wavering in their faith. The presence of some strident “warning” passages seems to support that contention. However, in a number of passages the writer invites his readers to join him in the journey of faith, repeatedly using the phrase “let us” to express that invitation (see Hebrews 4:1,11,14,16; 10:22–24; 12:1,28; 13:13,15).
PRAYER
Thank You, God, that I can encourage other believers and be encouraged by them when we gather together. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Hebrews 10:19-25 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Psalm 137-139 ; 1 Corinthians 13
