"PAY MORE THAN USUAL ATTENTION"

AUTO accidents claim the lives of some 37,000 people each year in the United States alone. Experts say that many of these deaths could be avoided if drivers paid more attention to the road. Some motorists are distracted by signs and billboards or by the use of their cell phone. There are also those who indulge in what has been called dashboard dining-eating while they drive. In all these situations, distractions can lead to disaster.

Nearly 2,000 years before the automobile was invented, the apostle Paul identified a type of distraction that was proving disastrous to some Hebrew Christians. Paul emphasized that the resurrected Jesus Christ was given a position superior to all the angels, for he was seated at God's right hand. the apostle then stated: "That is why it is necessary for us to pay more than the usual attention to the things heard by us, that we may never drift away." -Hebrews 2:1.

Why did the Hebrew Christians need to "pay more than the usual attention to the things heard" concerning Jesus? Because almost 30 years had passed since Jesus had left the earthly scene. In the absence of their Master, some Hebrew Christians were starting to drift away from the true faith. They were being distracted by Judaism, their former way of worship.

Next time: They Needed to Pay Closer Attention

Watchtower, 2002