Hebrews 10:16-25

by loisem

Such interesting things in this passage: quotes from the Old Testament prophets, images of temple and sacrifice and blood and water, themes of sin and forgiveness. But with all of that, I found myself most intrigued by the word “provoke” towards the end of the passage—that we as fellow believers are “…to provoke one another….”

Usually “provoke” has a negative slant to it. You provoke someone to violence by annoying, threatening, attacking. You get provoked to anger by someone who gets under your skin, irritates you. But here the idea is just the opposite: “…let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds….” And I’m just thinking that there must be something a bit different here about using “provoke” (rather than a more pleasant and expected word such as “encourage” or “inspire”).

So how about this for an idea. Perhaps sometimes something good that you do will irritate me because it makes me look at myself in an unsettling way. When I hear that you are volunteering at the Community Kitchen, it makes me wonder about how I spend my time. You have provoked me. When I tell you that I’ve contacted an elected official about immigration issues, you might go away wondering about connecting your faith and politics. I have provoked you. When a speaker from Haiti shares with us the dismal reality of poverty and disease entrenched there, she makes it clear that we have resources to be shared. We are provoked.

Sometimes such provoking may be subtle; sometimes more direct and challenging. But for me it points to not being shy about our service, and being open to how others may challenge us to serve in new ways. When the end is “love and good deeds,” then “provoke” can be a means of grace.

So, here’s to abundant provoking! And as the passage concludes, in the wonderful upside down world of faith in Christ, that is in fact a way of “encouraging one another” as we walk in faith together.

—Gordon Wiersma