DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Hebrews 13:7-16
(01/18 or 01/31)
Athanasios and Cyril, Patriarchs of Alexandria
Establish Your Heart: Hebrews 13:7-16, especially vs. 9:
“For it is good that the
heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who
have been occupied with them.” Yes! The food that feeds the heart is
grace! Nothing can match it! Ask, “Where can I find this grace
to feed and establish my heart?”
The text plainly states that it is at “...an
altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to
eat” (vs. 10). The true
altar, from which grace is obtained is the Holy Table
of Christ our God. Heed the
Apostle’s admonition: “...go forth to Him...” (vs. 13).
Consider this: why do we fast and cut off all earthly foods before Holy
Communion? Clearly the answer is:
So that the sweetness of the Holy Gifts may be tasted, savored, and never, ever
confused with lesser things of this creation.
In the Temple of the ancient People of God, when the flesh
of animals was offered, one portion was holocausted
to represent self-offering to God, and another portion was eaten as a type of
communion with the Holy One. But
those former types have given way to The Prototype, Who feeds us with His
life-giving Body and Blood. So,
remember what separates us from the ancient practice and its perishable food:
we partake of the Holy Communion “...of the precious and all-holy Body
and Blood of our Lord and God and Savior Jesus Christ, unto the forgiveness of
sins and unto life everlasting.”
He is the gracious food that establishes our hearts. And, if the thought occurs to draw near
in the hope of having the heart established by the grace received in Christ,
then listen well to the other admonitions the Apostle gives in these verses.
Follow “...those who rule over you, who have spoken
the word of God to you...” (vs. 7), for their conduct in life shows what
grace means to accomplish in us.
Obedience to apostolic order does not crush freedom, but establishes it
on a sure foundation that frees and strengthens us. The Apostles were deified by obeying
Christ - as their conduct after Pentecost amply reveals.
Conversely, refuse to “...be carried about with
various and strange doctrines” (vs. 9). These abound in the permissive, confused
cultural milieu of this life.
Rather, “...test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many
false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1).
Indeed, “...go forth to...” Christ (vs.
13). The imagery used in this
expression goes back to a Roman concession: they would crucify criminals
outside the city gates of Jerusalem, so as not to offend the pious Jews in
maintaining ritual purity (vs. 12).
When we make Christ central in our hearts and give Him first place in
our lives, we step aside from this world’s values.
Let us give Christ and His Body, the Church, the primary
place in life. To do so, we will
have to bear “...His reproach” (vs. 13). However, better to suffer because of
choosing to obey Him even when it may mean being avoided, rejected, or even
attacked; for in this world we have no permanent city except with “...the
saints and members of the household of God” (Eph 2:19).
Seek the one sure place we can exist now in our full humanity
(Heb. 13:14), the ‘city’ that is to come - the kingdom of God,
revealed in this present life within the worship of the Church.
Yes, it is within the Church that we may freely praise and
give thanks to Christ our God without reservation (vs. 15). His truth is taught in the household of
God. It is sung among us, read and
chanted to establish our hearts. Be
fed at His table with His Body and Blood.
All this does not mean to say withdraw from this world or
its pain, need, and suffering. Not
at all! “...do good and to
share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased” (vs. 16). These admonitions and directives are
Life, and they will help us discover that “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday, today, and forever” (vs. 8); may our
hearts be established in His grace!
Preserve my soul pure and upright by Thy grace, through the
saving fear of Thee.
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