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.
God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Hebrews 2:1 – 2:4
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There are many voices competing for our attention. Every hour of every day, it seems we are surrounded by news, notifications, and distractions. Some of these voices we sit down to make time for (a television show in the evening, a radio show in the afternoon), others just seem to insert themselves into our lives.
But Scripture reminds us there is one voice that matters most, one voice that we must always prioritize, one voice that we must pay the most careful attention to—the voice of God.
In Hebrews 2:1, the writer calls us to “pay the most careful attention” to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. And you might notice he doesn’t just invite us to pay attention or encourages us to do so, he says we must.
It is a strong warning. But notice how he builds his case.
In the previous chapter, Hebrews 1, the author explains the supremacy of Jesus. He argues that while God spoke through prophets and angels in the past, He has now spoken through His Son—the One through whom the universe was made. And if the messages delivered through angels in the Old Testament were binding, how much more should we take seriously the words of Christ?
His words are not ones we should neglect.
Think about it, just following the author’s argument: If an angel from heaven were to appear in your living room tonight with a message from God, you would listen carefully. You would write it down. You would hold onto every word.
And yet, we have the very words of Christ available to us every day in Scripture. Christ is superior to the angels in every way! And yet, so often, we neglect to pay careful attention to them. Even worse, we sometimes take them for granted.
But the writer of Hebrews warns us: If we ignore this message—we begin drifting from the truth. And we cannot afford to drift.
So today, let’s pause. Let’s turn our focus back to the words of Christ. Let’s give them the weight they deserve. Because the voice of Jesus is greater than any other—and His words are life.
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Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me pay more careful attention to your word today. And show me anything that is getting in the way of my relationship with you. Amen.