The Work of Restoration
By Dean Collins
What do we do when facing stress and unimaginable difficulties? Well, according to the writer of Hebrews, our best option is to consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.
When the church received this circular letter called Hebrews, believers were likely experiencing significant persecution. This epistle is generally thought to have been written sometime in the later years of the first century, maybe even during Nero’s persecution of the early church.
The author of Hebrews cannot be confirmed, but many think that it must have been written by someone who was close to the apostle Paul or even one of his associates. In the first chapters of this letter, the author reminds the reader of how God spoke to people in the past in various ways but now speaks to us through his son Jesus, who was with God at creation and reigns at the right hand of our Father in heaven even now.
As we read the second chapter of Hebrews, we learn that God put everything in subjection to Jesus, “Putting everything in subjection under his feet.” But then we read, “At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.” This is one of the reasons bad things like devastating hurricanes still happen. But God still cares and is still at work.
How do we know? Hebrews 3:1-6 reminds us that “Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope.” If you go back and read the creation story, portions of Exodus, and Numbers, we see that God is always creating his house. In fact, all of creation is his house. His creation was damaged at the Fall, but our faithful God set things in motion for everything to be renewed and restored.
Those who follow Christ today are called to do the work of restoration both spiritually and physically. That work includes the much-needed restoration work that thousands of Christians are doing all across the southeast due to hurricanes Helene and Milton. When Christians give their time, talent, and resources to rebuild homes, roads, towns, restore power, etc., they are truly doing God’s work. And those who don’t know Jesus are also doing God’s work even if they don’t realize it. What a testimony of God’s involvement in the world when Christians show their faith by their work of restoration.
So, let’s hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope in Christ! And as we consider Jesus, may we also consider that our other witness and ministry is one of prayer for those who have been impacted and those who are on the front lines doing the great work of the Lord. God can and will use secular and sacred together to rebuild while we do our part of bearing witness to his gospel in word and deed. One day, and maybe soon, we will see his finished work when Jesus returns to finish his final act of restoration.
Father, thank you for the living and active word of God that reminds us that we are your house and that we are called to work with you in the restoration of things now with our hands while we also share the good news of your love with everyone along the way. Give strength to all front-line workers, both those of faith and those who don’t yet know you. Bless their work in Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Hebrews 2:7-11, 3:1-6; Exodus 36:1-7; Numbers 12:7 ESV
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