"For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near." 10:1 (emphasis mine)
This is the second time in the past couple weeks that I'm reminded of Plato's Cave. I think of the Law and the Bible itself, even this world, as a shadow on the wall of the cave and we're sitting there making up stories about what we think is going on in those shadows. Jesus is the man that goes outside the cave and comes back to tell us what reality is. We think he is insane and ostracize him or we misinterpret the words that he uses and miss the point entirely, or only vaguely understand that we can't see the real picture. I can't wait to see what the reality is with my own two eyes!
"Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?" 10:28-29
Here's my interpretation. The Law of Moses was for Israel. The had the law, the kept the temple, they performed the sacrifice, they dealt out the judgement. But Christians are different. God is the law, the people are the church, Jesus/God performed the sacrifice, and THEY deal out the judgement. It is not for us to judge or condemn others for their choices. It is between God and them. Ours to show the love of Christ through our actions. Love them ask Christ loves us, whether they deserve it or not.
"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it." 13:2
I remember reading about the Greeks doing this all time, like in the Illiad. You just never know if those men that knock on your door or ask for change at the grocery store parking lot may be angels waiting to tell you something very important.
"Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were so occupied were not benefited." 13:9
This I read just this morning and it was so important for me to hear. I'm currently reading another book called "The Bible Tells Me So" by Peter Enns. I'm enjoying it very much and it is helping shed some light on scripture for sure, but sometimes I get wrapped up in things I read and take them as truth to build on before I search them out thoroughly. This verse reminded me to rely on my faith in God, not on man's words. I believe that goes for the Bible as well. God has done well to lead me to Him before I had ever really read the Bible. My Bible has helped me journey closer to Him and strengthen my understanding of Him, but my FAITH in Him is what builds the relationship. Every time I read, I pray that the words will bring me closer to understanding. The words are "food" I should not be consumed by.
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