Hebrews 2 and 3

In these beginning chapters of Hebrews, the initial verses are the ones that are really grabbing me.
The structure seems to be that the author of Hebrews makes a powerful statement and then the following verses are the evidence that supports that statement.
So in Hebrews 2 I was caught by the initial verse: "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away."  There is a strong command or hortative statement for us to pay careful attention to the gospel - the good news of Jesus Christ.  We are urged to do so lest we "drift away".  This drift is ever so subtle and reminds me of the Casting Crowns song "Slow Fade".  We usually don't have dramatic immediate departures from God, but there is this slowly drifting that can occur that robs our joy, zeal, hope and love.  Then, using the drifting metaphore, we have to paddle hard to get back to where we want to be in Christ.  This is a reminder and a confirmative call to what I've felt God speaking to me and our church recently.  We need to press in to God and not be swept away by the drifting currents.

In Hebrews 3,  verse 1 also stood out to me: "Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess."  This reminds me of Hebrews 12 where we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.  The book of Hebrews is really calling us back to the supremacy of Christ Jesus and our need to focus on him and not get our focus on other things around us that can distract and discourage us.  For instance, we are not to focus on other people and what they are doing or saying but rather on Jesus.  We are not to focus on problems or worries that can choke out our life in Christ.  This reminds me of Peter when he got out of the boat with Jesus.  While he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine and walked on the water.  When he looked at the waves and water, he began to give way to fear and doubt and began to sink.  It also reminds me of the book "Good To Great in God's Eyes" by Chip Ingram where he is talking about our thoughts and how important it is to guard our thought life.  This verse says "fix your thoughts on Jesus".  We should keep our minds focused on our source and saviour for from him comes life and hope and peace.  Help me Lord Jesus to keep my thoughts and actions centered around you and your kingdom!