"We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him."
- Hebrews 2:1-3 -

In 1:4-14, the author argues that Christ is absolutely superior to the angels. He warns here the danger of apostasy in the midst of persecution. In Hebrews there are five warnings of the saints' apostasy (2:1-4; 3:7-19; 5:11-6:20; 10:26-39; 12:25-29). Our text is the first warning. It is simple yet it is serious for it deals with the most essential truth of Christianity that we are saved only through Christ. In verse 1, 'pay the most careful attention' implies that we must mediate the gospel zealously and defend its truth. The words, 'drift away' in Greek, parapueo means 'passing away carelessly or slip away.' Martin Luther described it as the ship's rudder is broken, and it is unable to reach a safe harbor, the refuge of salvation and drifts. Just like the first century Christians had the danger of severe persecution, in many places, Christians face persecution like Afghanistan and in Muslim areas. And in the West, we face many temptations of the world. We should hear this warning seriously today, "How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?" (3) and hold fast the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, help me to pay more careful attention to the gospel, I've heard and hold fast it that I may bear the fruit of your great salvation in this world.