So generally, Daniel and I go in totally opposite directions on our blog posts. While we read the same translation of the same passage, and discuss it together, we usually end up focusing on different sections and themes from the passage.
However…
Being in Hebrews 10, we both, coming from the heritage we do, gravitated in the same general direction. The posts are still totally different, with our different views and writing styles, but I find it telling that we both honed in on the same passage. Daniel has been taking a more technical approach on it, but I want to look at the heart of it.
and may we ponder one another for an incitement of love and beautiful works, not abandoning the assembly of ourselves, as [is] the custom for some, but encouraging, and all the more as you see the day coming close.
Hebrews 10:24-25, TST
Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now as the day of his returning is drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT
I think we get so caught up in using this verse to condemn anyone who misses the Sunday morning “worship service” - or any worship service - that we forget the why behind coming together.
Look at the word “ponder”. It means to think about something soberly, reflectively, deeply. It infers spending much time with the subject of the pondering, and in thought of the subject, to develop a strong knowledge of said subject. In this case, we are to ponder upon our siblings in Christ, to know how to be able to encourage and incite/stimulate/motivate each other. The way we come to know one another is coming together - but not just once or twice a week. We must have, as we talked about in 1 John, a common life together. Back in my post on 1 John 1, I wrote:
All throughout, where the NLT uses “fellowship”, McKnight uses “common life”. I absolutely love this. So often we use the word fellowship as getting together to share a meal on occasion, or for a project or something specific. But we are to share life together. All of it. All aspects of it. Not just once a month on a Saturday night. Or staring at the backs of each others heads on Sunday mornings. Or getting together for a service project. Our common lives. Our daily lives. We are part of the same family. The same body. We are supposed to live together, to work together, to play together, to share together. And what binds us together is Jesus. Again, His Light, His Truth, His Word. We walk through life with each other, and we walk through life with Him. He wants to share that common life with us as well.
All throughout the letters of instruction to the churches are entreaties to encourage each other and support one another. We cannot do this if we aren’t spending time together. If we aren’t living life together. If we are abandoning one another. And we can absolutely violate this, even while being at the “assembly” every time the doors are opened.
We are all part of one body (1 Corinthians 12:12vf). One family (Ephesians 2:19). Living a common life (1 John 1 and Acts 2:42-47). We are set apart as God’s chosen (1 Peter 2:9) to be a light to others (Matthew 5:14-16) by doing the good works He prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10). Bound in love (Colossians 3:14). Encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:25).
Where one of us lacks, another supplies. Where one of us is weak, another gives strength. Where one of us falls, another one lifts. We share burdens, sorrow, joy, and faith.
But to share, we have to be together. Not once or twice a week. Not neglecting each other when we are together. Not running in and sitting down on the pew at 9:59 then back out again at 11:01, just checking that worship box off of our list. But truly together, in faith, in love, in all aspects of life.
Love this! Thanks so much for sharing. You and Jeremy embody what it means to “not forsake the assembly.”