Peeler’s new commentary on Hebrews was highly anticipated by me and comes highly recommended by Nijay Gupta (accolade here). Right out of the gate in the Introduction I was moved by her opening paragraph when she writes,
This commentary arises out of a fundamental commitment that shapes the whole of my life: the belief that the Bible is God’s good word. The documents included in the Bible are complicated, thoroughly human documents, both in their creation and in their assembly, a complexity the story of Hebrews demonstrates with particular intensity. It is through these very documents that followers of Jesus Christ have heard the voice of God. I share this seemingly paradoxical belief, that God chose to give divine revelation through a human collection. This is how God so often chooses to work, with and through humanity, from the stewarding of creation, to the administration of the law, to the word and work of the prophets, and chiefly in becoming human himself. We should not be surprised that the sacred text arrives through the same method. — (p 3, emphasis mine)
What struck me afresh was the immense significance God's strategy puts on human lives to do his bidding here on earth. The biblical storyline illustrates that God did not just take on human flesh in the person of Jesus, he inhabits my life through his Spirit so I may put on display his presence to the world! Whether by word or thought, action or attitude, every manifestation from my entire human existence is optimal when I mirror the One in whose image I am made.
The fact is that to be Christian in name is to be like Christ in being. Anything less will not do, as it betrays my full humanity and intended purpose. There is a deep connection, therefore, between my identity in God and the evidence of God to the world through me.
Naturally this motivates me to carefully, judiciously, and graciously roll out my speak and mannerisms before a watching world. We might even say there is a symbiotic relationship that exists between our divine Creator and us human creatures such that we either exemplify our Source or obscure it by our behavior. That we have a choice on the extent to which we represent God on earth is no small thing. Such privilege!
Just a few days ago before starting my read through this commentary, a fellow neighbor sent this meme to me via Facebook. By my lights (and unbeknownst to my neighbor), it nicely aligns with the spirit of what I am saying here.
In the coming days or weeks, I’ll likely have much more to say about this fine release by Amy Peeler, but for now, do pick up a copy and give it a slow and thoughtful read through.