The New Testament Focus
The main focus of the new testament is on salvation, in almost all books reference is made or talks about salvation. We know according to the sacred scriptures that salvation was a divine gift from God but the same sacred scriptures tell us ‘Watch your salvation’.
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,— Hebrews 2:1-3
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.
This part speaks of a need that can not be overlooked or neglected, but what is it? Along with the need, it talks about paying attention or earnest heed. When the writer talks about ‘earnest heed’ he wants to tell us that we should already be attentive to ‘the things we’ve heard’ but there seem to be a lack of attention. What are these things? the answer is the gospel that Jesus left to his disciples. The urgency of caring and attending with earnest heed, as this verse tells us, is because there is a danger of slipping or in other words deviating from the gospel.
For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward,
In this verse the word angels is ἀγγέλων in Greek which is plural and means messengers. It refers not only to the angels as we know them, but to the prophets who carried out the message as well. Messengers like the prophets, patriarchs and great leaders of Israel are included here. This part of the verse is an assurance that in the past the message was true and the punishment of sin was also just.
How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation
Here the question is addressed to those of us who live under grace, those who were born later or lived when Jesus gave his life for us. The question asks that, if those who were born before Jesus were judged fairly, we have no excuse. If we neglect a salvation that the ancients only dreamed of obtaining one day, how are we going to escape?
Was confirmed to us
The Lord announced this salvation to us from Genesis when Adam and Eve sinned. The confirmation came through the disciples together with God after Jesus ascended. The neglect of our salvation becomes more and more inexcusable, because God has done everything necessary for us to maintain it. The question that must resonate in your mind is How will we escape?
