What’s better?
- Coffee or tea?
- Coke or Pepsi?
- Chevy or Ford?
- City or rural?
- iPhone or Android?
- Indoors or outdoors?
It’s a matter of preference, right? In a room of twenty people, we might get twenty different answers. We all have opinions on what’s better.
Yet, there are certain things that are simply better. No debate about it.
- Indoor plumbing
- Pure drinking water
- The wheel
- A/C
- Electricity
- Sanitation systems
- Refrigerator
- Fresh bread
- Fresh roasted coffee (one of my favs!)
Am I right? Would anyone say an outhouse is better than a modern indoor toilet? I think not. In fact, my kids think the indoor toilet is so much better than the alternative.
How about contaminated drinking water vs. pure? No contest. Pure drinking water is so much better!
How about stale bread? Gross! Fresh bread is so much better!
That is what the writer of Hebrews is trying to communicate. He uses the word “better” twelve times to make a point.
Here are a few examples…
- Better things (6:9)
- Better hope (7:19)
- Better covenant (7:22)
- Better promises (8:6)
- Better sacrifice (9:23)
- Better for us (11:40)
- Better word (12:24)
In other words, the way of Jesus is so much better!
The Way of Jesus
Specifically, Hebrews is saying that the old way of religious rule-keeping is outdated. It doesn’t work. There is a better way. His name is Jesus.
We don’t have to climb up to God. He came down to us. God has provided a better way.
So here’s my encouragement
Do not be carried away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and strengthened by grace and not by foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no benefit or spiritual growth to those who observe them.
Hebrews 13:9
Be strengthened by grace, not rule-keeping. Be established in Jesus, not performance (works).
Grace is not an idea or doctrine. Grace is the person and work of Jesus. The way of Jesus is so much better.
- Because Jesus succeeded for us, we are free to fail.
- Because Jesus is someone, we are free to be no one.
- Because Jesus is strong, we are free to be weak.
- Because Jesus won for us, we are free to lose.
- Because Jesus is extraordinary, we are free to be ordinary. (1)
- Because of Jesus we are free to become who we were created to be.
Jesus who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might becoming the righteousness of God! (I Cor. 5:21 NIV)
Let’s establish and strengthen our hearts on who He is and what He has done so we won’t be fooled and buy into anything less. The way of Jesus is so much better!
Here are 5 simple ways to connect with Jesus and allow our hearts to be established and strengthen by grace.
- Hear the Word: This year I’ve been listening to Daily Audio Bible Podcast while I do my morning routine.
- Journal: Over the years I’ve learned how thoughts disentangle themselves when I write them down. Journaling is a powerful way to clear the clutter and hear from God. I’m currently using a Five-Year Journal.
- Prayer: Prayer is a conversation with God. Talk to God about what’s really on your heart and not what you think you ought to pray about.
- Worship: I love how Romans 12:1-2 (MSG) talks about worship. “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering.”Worship is not a song, but a heart attitude before the Lord.
- Create Space: This is how I like thinking about silence and solitude. We need daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly space to think, reflect, listen, and rest.
Prayer: Father, we set our attention on you today. We ask that You strengthen our hearts with grace. Thank you for who you are and what you have done. Thank you for Jesus. We respond with whole-heart worship.
Question: How have you been connecting with Jesus this year? How does the truth “the way of Jesus is so much better” resonate with you?
Resource: The Life You Always Wanted by John Ortberg
Blessings and Peace
(1) Tullian Tchividian, It Is Finished, David C Cook 2015