Traditions Devo

February 12th, 2017  

Devotional

“Wesleyan Wisdom: Tradition” - Hebrews 1: 1-4, 2: 5-12

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Monday: “In the Past…But Now” - Hebrews 1: 1-2

The author of Hebrews has a unique way to engage readers and hearers in conversation - he contrasts the past with the present.We do this sometimes as well, often looking at the past with rose colored glasses and wishing, at times, that we could go back. The author of Hebrews does the opposite. He proclaims that there was a time, in the past, when God spoke to the people through prophets, trying to get them to repent of their sin and return to following God. But now, God doesn’t speak to us through prophets, but instead directly through the Son, Jesus Christ. While the author doesn’t speak poorly of the prophets, he looks to Jesus Christ at the present time as the better way to hear the word of God.

The apostle Paul wrote like this in some of his letters as well - contrasting what it was like being an infant in the faith, to now being mature and growing with God. The point both authors are making is that it is important to know the past, but we also need to be able to fully live into the here and now, in order to reach out to people. When we dwell on the past, wishing to return instead of bringing the wisdom of that time into the present, we can miss opportunities to proclaim the name of Christ. 

How can you bring the wisdom of the past into your present situations? 

Prayer: Jesus, we know that sometimes we would rather go back to simpler times instead of living into the full reality of the present. Helps us to be grounded in the wisdom you have taught us in the past while proclaiming Christ here and now, dear Lord. Amen! 

Tuesday: “The Radiance of God” - Hebrews 1: 3-4

The people receiving the letters to the Hebrews had a problem - they didn’t quite understand how Jesus fit into all that they had been taught about the figures of the faith, like Moses, and the prophet who had taught them, or the angels who ministered to God. They struggled to fit Jesus into what they ha previously learned. 

To which the author replies, Jesus doesn’t fit. He is so far above and beyond anyone or anything that they had previously learned about. Jesus is the reflection of God; the Son is the radiance of God’s glory. No one else could make that claim previously. Jesus did what no one else could do, apart from God, by redeeming the people from their sins. So Jesus is superior to everyone and everything. 

Note that the author of Hebrews isn’t saying that what they had learned previously wasn’t true. Or that they had been mislead. Instead, he is proclaiming that Jesus is far above traditions of the past and is instead pointing to a new way in the future. 

How can our traditions helps us proclaim Christ? How can our traditions hinder us at times from proclaiming Christ?

Prayer: Lord, we want to lift your name on high. Help us, O Lord, to not be so wedded to the past that we miss what you are doing in the present to propel us into the future. Help us to see how you are proclaimed in all that we do and say, as individuals and as the Church! Amen. 

Wednesday: “ Crowned with Glory and Honor” - Hebrews 2: 5-8

The author of Hebrews likes to pick up on pieces of scripture and weave them into his writings. The quotations in verse 6b-8a today comes Psalm 8:4-6. By turning back to scripture time and time again, he is trying to show that the tradition and scriptures of the people were pointing to Christ even before he came in the form of a babe who would set the people free. 

Different version of the Bible translates these words different ways - which can be confusing. Some speak of “them” and others of “him.” I am preferential to the versions that read: “You made him a little lower than the angels;/ you crowned him with glory and honor/ and put everything under his feet.” When we look back at the Psalm of David that is quoted by the author we find that David is speaking about humans being a little lower than the angels (ie them) but the author of Hebrews is showing that Christ chose to be made lower than the angels for a period of time in order to redeem us (ie him). No matter what translation we read the point is clear - God loves humanity so much that God is mindful of them and works to shower us with tender love and care. 

How do you experience the care and love of God? How do you share the story of this love and care with others? 

How can you see scripture pointing to the greatest story ever told, that of Christ’s saving love, time and time again?

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for your servants who went before. Faithful men and women who could weave scripture together to tell your story and use traditions to build upon your story. Use us we pray, to continue to tell all who will listen, of your redeeming love. Amen. 

Thursday: “We Do See Jesus” - Hebrews 2: 9

Scripture is not always easy to understand. Sometimes we cannot figure out how it relates to our lives. Other times it feels distant from our experiences. The folks being addressed in the letter to the Hebrews had these same struggles. But the author reminds them that they have seen the embodiment of scripture in Jesus Christ. They may not understand all of the ins and outs of how Christ died on the cross, but they can proclaim the love that it represents to the world. 

Traditions exist to help us tell the story. Church seasons, colors, sacraments - they all help us to proclaim the story of Jesus Christ in a tangible way. Traditions lack their meaning when we forget why we have them in the first place. And traditions can become dangerous when we divorce them from Christ. They are to help us see Jesus, here and now, as we tell the story of our faith. 

How have traditions helped you to share the story of your faith in Jesus Christ?

Prayer: Lord, we confess that sometimes we focus more on the tradition then the Savior they represent. Forgive us, O Lord, and help us focus afresh on the story that changed our lives so that we can share it with others. Amen. 

Friday: “Call Them Brothers and Sisters” - Hebrews 2: 10-12

Friends, we are part of the family of God when we accept the gift that Christ has offered us through his redeeming blood. When we are welcomed into the family of God, we become brothers and sisters, and more importantly we become bearers of the family story, the story of Christ.

Why do we practice traditions in our homes? So we can tell our children the story of our family. For my mom that means having macaroni salad at big family holiday meals, so we can tell the story of my grandma and her family, who are no longer with us. It’s not the macaroni salad that is the most important thing, its the story it represents that we are able to tell. 

We have the most important story ever told - the story of Jesus and how he changed our hearts and lives. May we use the traditions of the church to continue to tell the story for generations to come - until the whole world has heard!

What family traditions do you have in your home? What do they represent?

What do the traditions of the church mean to you?

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the traditions we have - in our family homes and in our faith lives. May we use them as a tool to share with the world the story of the cross and your love, that made a way for us to be called your family. 

Saturday: Preparing for the Word

Family Activity: Talk about traditions. What are some of the traditions you have in your home? Why do they matter? What do they mean to you? What traditions do we have in church and why are those important?