Seven exhortations
We now come to our final topical study in Hebrews, and to its last chapter. The Hebrew writer
12. Giving Thanks to Jesus. At the end of Hebrews, we are reminded of some of the Christian duties that those who respond to God’s grace will not forget to do. In keeping such commandments as these, we show gratitude toward God, and will realise the benediction,
Heb 13:1-25
The theme of the first seven verses of
Love among the brothers and sisters of Christ is like love in any family. It must be encouraged and nurtured. It must be valued and appreciated. A lot of other things must take second place to it. Love can so easily be lost. We must ensure
Hospitality, sharing our homes and food with others, especially those in need, is part of the Christian way. This hospitality should include not only our friends, but strangers who have a genuine need of our hospitality. The Hebrew writer reminds us of cases in the Old Testament where, in offering hospitality to strangers, people unknowingly showed kindness to angels of God
Not everyone in prison is a bad person, and prisoners should not be out of sight and out of mind. I think we can safely extend this concept to people who are imprisoned not by the judicial system, but by illness, disability, loneliness, old age, poverty, discrimination, oppression, mistreatment, addictions, and so forth. Visitation is a Christian duty
Although marriage is common in Australia, it is also just as commonly neglected. Many who entered into marriage have forgotten their vows. Many who live as though married have never made vows. It is up to Christians to honour marriage. No matter how popular and
Money of itself is neither good nor evil, for it is only a token to enable the practical exchange of goods and services. Money can be a token of good things or bad, depending upon how we choose to earn and spend it. However many people see money not as a token of other things, but as an object in itself, and they come to love it. This is a root of all kinds of evil in our society
Contentment and gratitude for what we have will keep us free from the love of money. Many of the best blessings cannot be exchanged for money anyway. We do not pay money for sunshine, for love and friends, for our special individual talents, for a physical body to dwell in, and many more things besides. Above all, we do not pay money for the promise and assurance of eternal life in heaven. Whilst we need some money of course, it is not nearly so important as most of us
We express our contentment and gratitude to the Lord, because we believe that our blessings come through his good providence. He is our helper through good times and bad. Reliance upon him, continual thanksgiving, and dedicating our lives to him in response to his kindness
Most of us became Christians because somebody led us to Christ. We were then led upward in spiritual growth by kindly Christians who cared to help us on the Christian way. We should always remember these, and what they taught and showed us. We should imitate their example just as they imitate Christ. Especially we should remember and respect the
As his final appeal, the Hebrew writer exhorts us to make Jesus Christ the center of our lives. He has told us of how Jesus has become our great High Priest, our Perfect Sacrifice, the Mediator and Intercessor between us and God, and the Author and Finisher of our faith. Now in
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, yes and forever"
We not only can rely upon his unchanging word, but on his unchanging grace. Jesus is our representative in heaven, and we have his Holy Spirit of grace to help us here on earth. Our strength is drawn from our focus on heavenly and eternal things, not on rules and regulations about food such as occupied people
Our connection with Christ and the sanctuary of heaven, makes us different to people of the world, the unbelievers and false believers. Therefore we may suffer reproach and rejection at times. This is the price of following our great Shepherd and Priest Jesus. He suffered reproach and became an outcast for us, so we ourselves must be willing to bear his
We are encouraged by the certain hope that although we are here on earth for a short time, we have a home in a city in heaven which Christ himself has prepared for us
Although only Christ could offer a sacrifice for sins, and the Hebrew writer had made that very clear, there are sacrifices we offer to God by way of giving thanks and praise to him. From the spiritual songs we sing, to the good works that we do, "with such sacrifices God is well pleased". If we think to replace the sacrifice of Christ with our own merit, then of course "all our righteousness is like filthy clothing".
In his good providence, God provides us with guides and teachers who are true to the gospel. When they show and teach us the will of God, we ought to obey, and urge others to do the same. This in turn, full circle, will encourage our teachers
Since those shepherds and teachers have taken on a great responsibility, we should not only encourage them by following the word they teach us, but we should also remember them often in our prayers and ask God’s blessing on the work which
The benediction (word of blessing) in
Now the God of peace
who brought up from the dead,
the great Shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood
of the eternal covenant,
Jesus our Lord,
equip you in every good thing
to do his will,
working in us
that which is pleasing in his sight,
through Jesus Christ,
to whom be the glory,
forever and ever, Amen
