“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.“
Hebrews 10:19-25 (ESV)
[Jesus praying for his Church before arrest] I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Matthew 17: 20-23 (NRSV)
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AUGUST 4, 2025
Why do we gather as a body of believers? Why should we gather? This week, I invite you to think this through as we ruminate on Hebrews 10:19-25 and Matthew 17:20-23.
For me, gathering with a body of believers comes with all kinds of mixed emotions, memories, and responses. I have been part of local churches in Costa Rica where worship was loud, everyone singing and clapping until our hands were raw. I have been part of churches in Argentina where the service could not begin until everyone had greeted everyone else with a kiss. I have been part of a small church of 8 people in Tokyo that met in an elementary school, sat at children’s tables arranged, sang ancient hymns, listened quietly to a sermon, and drank some of the worst coffee I’ve ever had. I’ve been part of house churches that met in homes, tiny churches that struggled to pay the bills, churches with professional-grade worship music, and churches where worship involved multiple issues with microphones and sound. Now I’ve been part of Wheaton Bible Church for 13 years, a mammoth church unlike any other local gathering I’ve participated in.
When something is as precious and valuable as the gathering of Christ’s body, you want it to exceed all expectations, right? You want it to be a place of fullest love, truth, and holiness. But in all the different gatherings I’ve been part of in my life, each and every one has had its own unique struggles and challenges.
Gathering as a body of believers is not easy. It just is not.
The recipients of this letter to the Hebrews were Christians who were worn out. Their faith was hanging on by a thread. Persecution, temptations, weariness, battles within, battles without, and life’s daily struggles were leading several Christians to think about giving up on their faith.
Have you ever been there?
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What thoughts or emotions come to mind when you think about the practice of gathering as a body of believers?
- What expectations do you bring with you when you join a community of believers?
Church Reading Plan: Judges 18; Acts 22