Heb. 2:1-4, The Danger of Drifting and Neglect

First, here are some definitions.  “Drift away” (2:1) means to let something slip or glide by.  An illustration would be an unmoored boat.  “Neglect” (2:4) means to make light of, to be careless of.  You may have something you don’t properly maintain because it’s just not that important to you.  That is the issue here.

In this passage we see the reason why Jesus’ superiority to the angels was established in Heb. 1.  If the message delivered by angels (to Moses, on Mt. Sinai) was solid and lasting, what will happen if we reject the message of the gospel that came through the mouth of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Fundamental to this is that the gospel of Christ is superior to the Law of Moses.  In what way?  As we have noted: the Law of Moses came through angels.  It was certainly the word of God; but it was entrusted into the hands of angels to give to the mediator Moses (cf. Dt. 32:3; Ps. 68:17; Ac. 7:53; Gal. 3:19).  It was proven to be steadfast.  Here are a few examples:

·       Ex. 32:27-28: Because of Israel’s disregard of the first two of the Ten Commandments, the Levites took up swords and around 3000 of their countrymen were killed.

·       Lev. 10:1-2: The older sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, dishonored God by offering “strange fire” (worshiping contrary to the Law).  They died on the spot.

·       Deut. 28: Blessings and curses were pronounced on Israel, all dependent on their response to the Law.  In the end, their disobedience to the Law of Moses led to their removal from the land.

So the message through Moses was solid.  But what about the gospel?  The gospel is the good news of our great salvation (Ac. 13:32-33).  Speaking of the gospel, Albert Barnes reminds us that the Author is great, it saves us from great sins and dangers, it is great in heaven, and it was brought onto the scene by great displays of power, wisdom and love.

This great gospel has its source in the Son of God (1:2), the Captain of our salvation (2:10).  The reliability of the gospel was confirmed by the eyewitnesses, the Apostles (those who heard Him, 2:3); and attested by God through the miracles or “signs” performed by both Christ and the Apostles.  Thus, we are called to give more earnest heed to the things we have heard (2:1). 

What dangers could cause us to neglect salvation or drift from the gospel?

·       Matt. 22:5; Ezek. 33:30-33: taking it lightly.

·       Matt. 22:5; 13:22: being preoccupied with the cares of this life.

·       Matt. 13:20-21: turning from it because of fear of persecution.

·       Acts 24:24-25: waiting for a more convenient time before we receive it.

·       Acts 26:28: being unwilling to respond in faith (“almost you persuade me).

Let us be careful, now, to heed the good news of Calvary and the empty tomb!