The "How Much More" Principle: Biblical Truths for a Deeper Faith
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 1
- 8 min read
Don't Drift Off: A Wake-Up Call from Hebrews 2:1-4
This past year, my son and I went to Death Valley to explore the area and ended up finding an old mining ghost town. Not only did we find it, but we ended up exploring several old mine tunnels. We weren't really planning on going into mines, so we didn't bring any flashlights. We ended up using the dim lights on our cell phones. It helped us see enough to get around, but we were definitely missing most of the details, and we couldn't see very far in front of us at any given time.
We made a fun video recapping the whole experience, which you can watch here:
I share all of that to say that reading the Bible can be similar to our mine exploring day. When we just approach the Bible with a very basic understanding, it's like trying to navigate it with a little cell phone light. We can see, but not well, and we're missing lots of important and amazing details. But when we begin to understand the rich Jewish context of the Bible—learning about the culture, geography, and even the teaching styles and methods used by the authors—it's like getting multiple high-powered LED floodlights to explore the mine tunnel. All of a sudden, there is so much more to see and appreciate. And when it comes to following Jesus, you don't want to be navigating with a dim light. You need all the light you can get, because the current is strong and it’s easy to drift off course. You're not intentionally turning your back on God, but without paying close attention, the slow current can pull you away from what matters most. So grab a fresh cup of coffee or tea, your favorite pen and journal, and get ready to explore the depths of Hebrews 2:1-4 in a whole new way!
Before moving on, pause and read through Hebrews 2:1-4 in a couple of different translations. Choose two from this selection: NIV, NLT, ESV, NASB, NKJV
BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO PODCAST THAT GOES DEEPER INTO THIS SECTION OF HEBREWS
Setting the Scene: Hebrews 2:1-4
The book of Hebrews is basically a tough-love letter to some folks who were getting wobbly in their faith. They were Jewish Christians who, after taking a bunch of heat from their friends and family, started thinking about going back to their old ways. The writer of Hebrews had just spent a whole chapter proving that Jesus is the real deal—way better than angels, way better than prophets, the top dog.
Now, in Hebrews 2:1-4, he gets to the point. He's not pulling any punches. He's saying, "Look, you've heard all this amazing stuff about Jesus. You can't just let it slide." He uses a picture of a ship “drifting away.” As scholar N.T. Wright points out, this isn't about jumping ship. It’s about not paying attention, getting lazy, and letting a slow current pull you away from the shore. It's a quiet, sneaky kind of danger. You don't even realize how far you've gone until you look up and the land is a tiny speck.
The writer then brings up the old law from Mount Sinai. Back in the day, that law came with a bang, delivered by angels, and if you broke it, you paid the price. No questions asked. So, the writer’s logic is simple and powerful: A message from an angel was a big deal. The one from Jesus is a whole other level. We're not talking about a small, minor-league message. This is the big show.
The team from Walkingthetext.com reminds us that this "great salvation" wasn't a rumor. It was first spoken by Jesus, then confirmed by the people who actually heard him, and God backed it all up with miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit. It’s like a sealed deal with witnesses and a signed contract. You can't just shrug it off.
Rabbit Trail: Qal Va-Homer (From Lesser to Greater)
Have you ever noticed how Jesus, and other biblical writers, often made their point by saying, "If this is true, then how much more is this even more true?" This is a classic Jewish rabbinic teaching method called qal va-homer, which translates to "light and heavy" or "from lesser to greater." It's a powerful way to build an argument from a known, accepted truth to a new, more significant one.
This wasn’t just some random logic trick; it was a foundational tool for rabbinic thought, one of the seven hermeneutical rules of Rabbi Hillel, a famous Jewish sage from the first century BC. The logic is simple: if something is true in a less serious case (the "light" case), it must certainly be true in a more serious case (the "heavy" case).
Jesus used this method all the time. In Matthew 6:28-30, he tells his listeners to look at the lilies of the field. "If God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" He moves from the lesser truth (God cares for flowers) to the greater truth (God cares even more for people).
Another great example is in Luke 11:13: "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?" The logic is undeniable.
Learning about this method helps us understand the Bible's original context and how these arguments were meant to hit home. The author of Hebrews uses this exact logic in our passage. He says, “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable… how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” He's using a qal va-homer argument: If the message delivered by angels was serious, then the message delivered by the Son of God is infinitely more serious. By understanding this rabbinic teaching method, we can appreciate the power and urgency of the author's message and realize why he is so insistent that we pay close attention.
Questions for you to chew on and discuss:
The writer talks about "drifting away." What are the small things in your life that might be nudging you off course without you realizing it?
How do you "neglect" your salvation? Is it by being lazy with prayer, skipping church, or just not caring anymore?
How can the confirmed stories of miracles from the early church help you stay focused on your faith today?
Journey Group Discussion Starter:
Let's talk about this in your journey group. The author of Hebrews makes a punchy statement: A message from an angel was a big deal. The one from Jesus is a whole other level. How does knowing this make you take your faith more seriously in your day-to-day life?
Applying the Principles TODAY
The message is clear: pay attention. Life is full of distractions—the grind at work, the endless scroll on your phone, the bills that never stop coming. All that stuff can make you lose focus and slowly drift away from what really matters. We’ve been given a "great salvation," not a consolation prize. It’s a game-changer, and it deserves our full attention. Don't let your faith become something you get around to "eventually."
RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN
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EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE
From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇
For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!
As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.
Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.
There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.
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Listened twice on drive to work. THANK YOU