I met Mike in math class. He was really good at math and so the competition began. In almost every arena, we dueled for supremacy. We played on the chess team together and he won. When my family moved close to him, Mike started going to church with us, became a follower of Jesus, and was baptized by my pastor. Together we led many other eighth graders to Christ. We worked together at the airport in Rhein-Main, Germany carrying suitcases for passengers. We played tennis every chance we got. Then one summer, his parents invited me to go with them to their little cottage on the Rhein River. They had a big yellow raft which we paddled out of the little cove. Before long Mike fell asleep at the back of the boat and I at the front. We drifted out into the main channel of the Rhein and were awakened by the loud sound of a horn and realized a barge was about to hit us. We paddled for our lives. I learned the danger of drifting that day.
The writer of Hebrews has established that Jesus is greater than the angels. Accordingly, he reminds them to pay attention so that they do not drift away. If angels’ words are binding, how much more are Jesus’ words? If we ignore God’s great salvation, we will not escape judgment. Jesus, the pioneer of our salvation, was “made perfect through what he suffered.” Jesus, who is holy and makes us holy is not ashamed to call us his family. Our merciful and faithful high priest has made atonement for our sins. Because he suffered temptation, he is able to help us when we are tempted.
When we drift, we do not naturally drift closer to God. Like the little eddies that pushed us out into the Rhein River, the subtle winds of life blow people and institutions away from the will of God. Our spiritual drift may seem to us almost imperceptible. “I am doing fine,” I may think as I doze into spiritual slumber. Outside God’s will, we find ourselves in great danger of being destroyed. This is a time to be sober and alert so that we do not drift. Jesus knows what it is like to be tempted. Not only is he able to help us. Jesus is willing!
