It had been almost thirty years since the founding of the congregation in Jerusalem, and Paul’s heart was heavy as he wrote his letter to the Hebrew Christians. "By now you should be teachers," he admonished. In view of the time that had passed, they ought to have been able to teach their beliefs to others. This was not merely an expectation but an integral part of every Christian’s ministry. Jesus had commanded his disciples to teach the nations to observe all the things He had taught them, making it an ongoing process of instruction, application, and example.

Yet, Paul saw that some were struggling to grasp and accept deeper truths, let alone teach them. "You again need someone to teach you from the beginning the elementary things," he continued. These elementary things referred to the basic, fundamental teachings of “the sacred pronouncements of Jehovah.” They were the first lessons the Hebrew Christians had to master before they could progress to more profound truths. The phrase "from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God" implied a need to start again at the most rudimentary level, much like learning the letters of the Greek alphabet before forming words and sentences.

Paul lamented that despite their long history and rich heritage, they had regressed to needing milk instead of solid food. Just as milk is the principal food for infants, these basic truths were necessary for new believers. However, Paul was troubled that the Hebrew Christians had failed to move beyond these basics. Instead of progressing, they had reverted to a diet of milk. He urged them to take in solid food, drawing a parallel to his earlier counsel to the Christians in Corinth. While milk represents all nourishing truths necessary for any Christian, new or experienced, Paul emphasized that mature believers must also digest solid food, (deeper spiritual insights).

"Everyone who continues to feed on milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness," Paul noted. The term “unacquainted with” was often used to describe novices or those who were inexperienced. These Christians did not fully grasp God’s word because they were not accustomed to applying it in their daily lives. Paul fittingly referred to inspired teachings as “the word of righteousness,” for they convey God’s messages explaining what is right and wrong in His eyes.

Among its ancient streets and old houses lived a community of Hebrew Christians who gathered faithfully to worship and study the teachings of Jesus Christ. Among them was Daveed, a young man whose fervent zeal for the Scriptures had ignited shortly after the congregation’s establishment.

Daveed grew up steeped in Jewish traditions and teachings, which deeply influenced his early understanding of Christianity. Like many of his peers, he took comfort in adhering to customs that had been ingrained in their culture for millennia. Concepts such as separation from non-believers, reluctance to evangelize, and a sense of being Jehovah’s chosen people permeated their early Christian lives.

However, as Daveed matured in his faith, he began to question these entrenched beliefs. He saw how their heritage as Jews sometimes hindered their ability to embrace the radical inclusivity and missionary spirit that Jesus encouraged. "Shouldn’t we be sharing the gospel with others?" he asked during a gathering of believers, his voice filled with concern. "Are we truly fulfilling our calling to be a light to the nations?"

The group fell into thoughtful silence, pondering Daveed’s words. It was then that El-Sammuel, a seasoned elder known for his wisdom and gentleness, spoke up. "Brothers and sisters," he began, his voice steady and calm, "we must remember that while our heritage is rich and sacred, our identity in Christ calls us to a new way of living. Paul is right. We cannot continue to be like infants still nursing." He paused and calmly looked over the group. "Milk is good for babies, but solid food is for those who have grown strong in the faith, who have trained their senses to fully comprehend and understand the principles outlined in the Scriptures."

Daveed listened intently as El-Sammuel expounded on Paul’s message, drawing parallels to their own spiritual journey. He spoke of the danger of remaining stagnant, of failing to progress in their understanding of God’s word. His words resonated deeply with Daveed, reinforcing his resolve to pursue Christian maturity.

El-Sammuel continued, drawing parallels from their Jewish upbringing to illustrate his point. "Just as a mother nurtures her infant with milk, providing essential nutrients for growth, so too are we initially fed with the foundational truths of our faith," El-Sammuel explained. "But as infants grow, they must transition to solid food, learning to chew and digest more substantial nourishment. In the same way, we must grow in our understanding of God’s word, moving beyond milk to partake of the solid food of spiritual maturity."

Daveed vigorously nodded, understanding dawning upon him. He realized that their reluctance to move beyond the basics stemmed partly from a deep-seated attachment to their cultural heritage. Yet, he also saw the transformative power of embracing a deeper relationship with Christ; a relationship that compelled them to share the gospel boldly and love others sacrificially.

In the weeks that followed, Daveed devoted himself to studying the deep yet insightful letter to the Hebrews with renewed vigor. He marveled at Paul’s eloquence and depth of insight, especially in describing Christ as the ultimate high priest and mediator between Jehovah and humanity. Each paragraph illuminated a new facet of Jehovah’s plan of redemption, inspiring Daveed to delve deeper into prayer and meditation.

As Daveed grew in his understanding of the Scriptures, he became a source of encouragement and guidance to his peers. He led study sessions where they explored together the deeper truths hidden in the pages of Scripture. Together, they grappled with divine concepts and meditated to understand the more challenging passages, their discussions sharpening their discernment and deepening their faith.

Over time, Daveed witnessed a transformation within the congregation. The once timid and uncertain believers grew more confident in their grasp of God’s word. They embraced the challenge of moving from milk to solid food, eagerly exploring the complex and intricate nature of biblical truths and spiritual teachings that illuminated their faith journey.

Daveed’s own process of spiritual growth and development continued to unfold, marked by moments of revelation and deep closeness with Jehovah. He realized that true growth in faith was not measured by the volume of knowledge acquired but by the depth of intimacy with Christ. With each passing day, he embraced Paul’s exhortation to leave behind the elementary teachings and press on toward the goal of experiencing Christ more deeply.

Slowly, the journey toward spiritual maturity within the congregation began to flourish. They became known not only for their steadfast faith but also for their passion to share the good news with others. They engaged in meaningful conversations with neighbors and strangers alike, demonstrating Christ’s love through their actions and words.

In this congregation, the distinction between milk and solid food became a testimony to their growth and unity in Christ. They celebrated the feast of maturity, feasting on the rich banquet of God’s word that nourished their souls and empowered them to live out their faith boldly in a world hungry for truth and grace.

May we all be like Daveed, continuously taking in solid spiritual food and aligning our thinking ever closer with that of Jehovah. As we continue to mature, let us remain steadfast and unwavering as full-grown Christians, dedicated to deepening our faith and understanding.

Thank you for reading,
-Soli Jehova Gloria (1 Corinthians 10:31)