There are two elephants in the theological room today.
Simply put, as the author of Hebrews describes, we often lack enthusiasm for wrestling with biblical truths, especially when they are challenging. We are too prone to mutter, “Whatever!”
This was also an issue for the audience receiving the book of Hebrews. In today’s reading, as soon as the discussion of the supremely remarkable “priest forever” (Hebrews 5:6), Melchizedek, was just getting underway, the author breaks off. It’s as though someone had just said the equivalent of “Why do we need to talk about Melchizedek anyway?” We can infer that the audience was content with matters the author declared to be elementary—mere baby food.
And now to the second elephant: it sounds like I can lose my salvation! That butts up against dearly treasured assurances. Isn’t it ironic that the discussion on Melchizedek is postponed, and instead, we address this gnarly topic?
It starts on a somber note: “It is impossible…” (Hebrews 6:4). In the Greek text, readers are left hanging. We only discover what is “impossible” after we first read that these persons have been enlightened, tasted, and shared in the Holy Spirit. “Taste” does not mean a tentative superficial sample; it means to enjoy fully. These sound like bona fide children of the living God. The words could be testimonies in a revival service. Their spiritual journeys, however, come to a crashing halt. Most of us know individuals who affirmed their belief in the transforming power of the Word and Spirit but chose to step away. That move implies deliberate disavowal.
Enter the land metaphor with the key word—“cultivated” (v.7). Caring for land is hard work; so is cultivating our souls. Thorns and thistles speak volumes of neglected land. To riff momentarily on the earlier metaphor, those who stay on baby food or only milk may have compromised immune systems later. When virulent spiritual viruses attack them, they succumb, especially if they have not learned to discern evil from good, an exercise lodged in the study of the Word.
To be sure, the author is confident of “better” things for the “dearly loved” audience (v.9). Rather than tie up loose theological ends into a nice package, the admonition goes directly to our tendency to coast when rest is not appropriate in the face of evil within and without. We need to be warned lest we neglect necessary spiritual disciplines.
I agree with Kaity in the difference between tasting and ingesting. The tasting doesn’t produce life-change. The text goes on to describe land that absorbs water. Some land produces fruit and other land thorns and thistles, but both lands absorb the water that’s available to it. There is an offering that is present, a common appeal…but, something much deeper takes place in the soil (or soul) that produces fruit. I do really like the author’s point in the importance of cultivation. I do believe that the heart of the text is to encourage each of us to cultivate a lasting love for Jesus, a heart that receives the nutrients in the depths of our being. I love the admonition to not grow lazy and complacent in our walk. There is definitely a tie to drinking milk and eating the rich foods.
So many times in my walk with Christ have backslid. Being saved at 5 years of age I have not always put God first. My hope is that readers understand that God is a forgiving, gracious and merciful God who picks up His children when they fall and fail. He brings good out of our surrender and we grow in his grace. This word was meant for people who tasted, felt, experienced Gods gifts and turned away still. They made there choice and didn’t have time to repent before death.
Thank you Angie Mills for your amazing breakdown!
Thank you Ann
This devotional is no good
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. – Philippians 3:14-16
12 so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. – Hebrews 6:12
I have a different perspective than the author of the devo. I think the use of the word “taste” is very deliberate. To me, taste seems to imply that someone only experienced the flavor, the smell, of God and the Holy Spirit, but never truly ingested, took in fully, and got the nutrients. Often, people are swept up in the “taste” of Christ that they experience in a powerful service or life-changing situation, but they never fully partake in His salvation. That’s what I think this is talking about. They are the seeds that get choked out by the weeds, never having enough strong roots to withstand. Never truly saved. They took a whiff, but never took a bite.