Breaking Free: Finding Jesus Beyond the Religious Walls
Micah 1-3; Hebrews 13; Ecclesiastes 9
First of all, I think Hebrews may be my new favorite book. Reading it through The Passion Translation has been absolutely wonderful this time around.
As you may have noticed, the book is not signed by an author. I’ve heard theologians attribute it to Paul, and recently I heard another suggest it might have been Priscilla. Obviously, no one knows, so we’re all just guessing here, but just thinking about the possibility of Priscilla writing it does something in my heart. Whoever it was chose to make the main thing the main thing and remained nameless and faceless, so to speak.
The entire book focuses on Jesus! It’s wonderful. He’s the main thing. Or should be.
Let’s look at this:
Hebrews 13
12 And Jesus, our sin-sacrifice, also suffered death outside the city walls to make us holy by his own blood. 13 So we must arise and join him outside the religious “walls” and bear his disgrace.
Just a few thoughts on this. Religion will always have us focus on almost anything and everything other than Jesus. Maybe the biggest giveaway that we are still somehow caught in that old tired system is when we find our focus to be on ourselves.
Our gifts.
Our personality.
Our preferences.
Our righteousness.
We’ve got to come outside of our “walls,” and find Him, our Jesus, outside of the city, outside of all our systems. All of our life now hinges on Him. He’s the main thing. Jesus is the main thing. And our salvation and life come through Him.
He calls us to Himself, not to a system. And remember the promise He gives:
Matthew 11
28 “Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. 29 Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. 30 For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”
Friends, He’s far better than we think, and definitely better than we could ever deserve. Leave the walls and the systems and the stuff, and come to Him. He is our Good News!
Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts
- Reflect on a time when you felt burdened by religious “walls” or structures. How did stepping outside of these constraints help you focus more directly on Jesus?
- Consider the concept of Jesus as the main thing in your life. How can you adjust your daily priorities to reflect this more clearly?
- In what ways have you experienced Jesus as your oasis when you were weary or burdened? Describe how His presence has brought you refreshment and rest.
- Hebrews 13 encourages us to bear disgrace for Christ outside the traditional “walls” of religion. Have you ever faced discomfort or rejection for your faith? How did it strengthen your relationship with Jesus?
- “Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please.” Spend some time meditating on this aspect of Jesus’ character. What practical steps can you take to emulate these qualities in your own life?
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