“Therefore, do not cast away your confidence which has great reward” (Hebrews 10:35).
When Jesus called the blind beggar near Jericho to come to Him, Mark records that Bartimaeus threw his garment aside, then rose and came to Jesus (Mark 10:50). Because his garment was probably used as the collection vehicle for the gifts of charity he received, his bold action of ridding himself of this article of clothing would indicate a strong confidence in Jesus’ power to heal him of his blindness. Once he could see, his days of begging for alms would be over. He would not need this garment anymore. His confident faith in Jesus motivated his belief that he would have no future need of his cloak.
Unlike Bartimaeus, several Hebrew Christians were casting away their confidence in Christ and His High Priesthood. By doing this, they were throwing away far more than a no longer needed begging garment. They were leaving the light to return to darkness. They were leaving the certainty of faith for spiritual blindness. They were exchanging heavenly treasure for earthly. They were casting away as worthless a better and enduring possession that was priceless.
Like the profane man Esau, a Christian can sell his birthright for a morsel of food (Hebrews 12:16).
Every Christian must decide whether he will hold fast the confession of his hope without wavering (Hebrews 10:23) or cast away his confidence (Hebrews 10:35).
God cannot be clearer or more emphatic about this decision:
Do not cast away your confidence!
