Revisionist History

Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them. We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the holy places by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:7-16 ESV). We are all revisionists to some degree. One of the wonderful things about moving back to Texas is that we will be close to more of our family. Very soon after we get settled I am planning a trip back to my hometown with my youngest brother to spend some time with my oldest brother. While we are there my niece is graciously hosting a family gathering at her house. Many of the nieces and nephews, and their families will be there. It has been at least four years since I have seen some of them, and much longer for others. I am sure that there will be lots of story-telling at the casual event. In many ways these gatherings are a very special part in retaining the generational history of a family. And, it is the only way that some of the younger members have a way of knowing generations that have long since died. The strange thing about this story-telling is that regardless of how many times the stories get told, they’ll all be just a little different depending on who does the telling. Though my brothers and I lived those stories, we each remember them a bit differently. Part of that is that our memories have been revised according to how they affected us and what they mean to us today. Of course we each revise them to make us look like the hero of the story. One of the most wonderful things about the Scripture is the absolute confidence we can have that it has not constantly been revised throughout the years. The overwhelming evidence is that what we possess today is precisely what was written thousands of years ago. Our reading today encourages us to remember those who have gone before us so that we might imitate their faith. The declaration is that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The marvelous encouragement in that truth is that because I can see how he has extended his love and grace to countless others who have made mistakes, he can and does do the same toward me. My assurance is that my heart is strengthened by that knowledge. Keep your faith centered on Him!