It’s time to grow up
Day 654, Wednesday, May 27
Hebrews 5:11 – Chapter 6
When I was much younger, I remember people talking about the “generation gap,” which was the idea that young people and older people thought so differently that they were almost unable to communicate with each other. While I don’t hear the term used any more, the idea runs rampant today. You don’t have to look far to find criticism of one generation or another, whether it be Boomers, Gen X, Millenials, Gen Z, Gen Alpha or Gen Beta.
I still believe what I believed back then: the split between generations is both timeless and exagerated. The suspicion that “they” can’t relate to “us” has always been there—but we all have more in common than we admit.
Much of the frustration stems from the perception of younger generations that older generations won’t let them grow up—and the frustration of older generations that younger people aren’t growing up and taking responsibility fast enough.
Both perspectives have some elements of truth, and some misperceptions. We see in the end of chapter 5 and the beginning of chapter 6 that the same kind of tension already existed in the day Hebrews was written.
The author, an established leader in the church, is frustrated that newer (though not necessarily younger) believers are not progressing in their faith. “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! …. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
Too many Christians are willing to stop with a child’s understanding of faith, sometimes by romanticizing the words of Jesus in Matthew 18, “Truly, I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” His call there is to humility, not to immaturity.
The Bible and the Christian tradition challenge us to keep learning for a lifetime and beyond.

Wednesday meditation

Psalms 126:1-6
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
Restore our fortunes, Lord, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

Prayer focus
Give us the passion and growth to be teachers of your word with maturity and wisdom.

-Rev. Mark Fleming