Who’s On First?

“…but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son … the exact imprint of God’s very being.” – Hebrews 1:2-3

One of the things that can be tough in a work environment is having multiple bosses. I once worked for a moving company where the head of the packing crew, the office manager, and the van drivers all thought they were in charge and told us worker bees to disregard what the others said. Some days my interior life feels like that crazy moving company. There is a crowd of conflicting voices, playing on my doubts and anxieties.

Those on the receiving end of the Letter to the Hebrews found themselves in a similarly anxiety-inducing situation. Were they to heed the “many and various” prophets by which God had spoken to their ancestors? Or were they to listen to one or more of the many contemporary (sometimes self-proclaimed) messengers of God? 

In a world of many and various spiritualities, who do I listen to? Amid the one million experts on money management or better teeth, and the two million self-help gurus with programs for enlightenment and weight-loss, who do I trust?

The Letter to the Hebrews is intended to ease such anxiety. The author says there is one definitive way in which God has revealed God’s being, Jesus. Pay attention to Jesus.

Of course, when we do that, we discover Jesus was anything but simple and rarely straightforward. He didn’t fit people’s expectations. He was full of surprises. As a friend pointed out, Jesus asked 307 questions but directly answered only several.

Still, he’s the one to watch, the one to pay attention to, “the exact imprint of God’s very being.” Trust this and live boldly.

Prayer

When I am feeling anxious about which way to turn, overwhelmed by all the possibilities and inner voices, speak your word of calm and challenge to me. Speak, Jesus, to me.

About the Author
Tony Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher, and writer. He is the author of many books, including What’s Theology Got to Do With It: Convictions, Vitality and the Church. You can read Tony’s “Weekly Meditation” and “What’s Tony Thinking?” at his website, www.anthonybrobinson.com.