Aug 14, 2022 Preaching | Bro. Popit Aragones
A tapestry. Pieces of fabric intricately woven to form one exquisitely beautiful work of art. This image perfectly describes the stories of faith in Hebrews 11. From the story of Noah who labored faithfully to build an ark in obedience to God’s command, to Abraham who faithfully followed God to a foreign land despite uncertainty, and to Moses who faithfully led his people out of Egypt despite all odds; these stories were pieces of fabric woven into a beautiful tapestry that showed how the Lord blessed people in their faith.
Our verses last Sunday continued to weave more fabrics into this tapestry, bringing in more stories of God’s miraculous deliverance for those who had faith. “By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down after they have been encircled for seven days… And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight” (v30, 32-33). These stories are all dramatic action-packed scenes of triumph against all odds for those who have faith, an encouragement for the early persecuted Christians.
But the author of Hebrews also flips this beautiful tapestry into its backside, a part most often hidden away from view. In this side filled with stitches and chaos lies what’s probably the more unpopular side of faith. By faith “others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword” (v35-37). This is the side of faith that does not tell of immediate deliverance, but of the miraculous power of faith to persevere and endure through life’s tribulations.
True faith is unconditional, and does not choose between these two sides of the tapestry. Whether in victory or in suffering, both sides form part of one and the same faith, both stories gaining approval in this hall of faith. “And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect” (v39-40). What’s more. These men and women of faith trusted though they have yet to receive what was promised. They believed though they have not yet seen the full revelation, only fragments of prophecy about the coming Messiah. The early Christians had something better to encourage them in the face of trials. They have the finished work of Christ on the cross, the promise of salvation, that they can cling on to in faith amidst difficulties.
Like these early Christians, we too are called to have faith regardless of which side of the tapestry we’re in. Through both times of majestic deliverance and faithful perseverance, we are asked to keep our eyes focused on the giver of our faith. Through both times of miracles and trials, we are called to trust that God is at work and to endure in faith through Jesus Christ.