| << | Contents | >> |
Articles 2021-2023
Jesus had ascended back to His Father and was now functioning in His high priestly ministry according to the order of Melchizedek in God’s true tabernacle, even heaven itself (Hebrews 8:1 - 2). Israel’s tabernacle/temple worship had foreshadowed this reality (Hebrews 8:5). But now, it was time for the shadow to be set aside. Whatever was rooted in the strength of man rather than in the grace of God would ultimately be shaken and removed – even those traditions that had biblical support such as trusting in the efficacy of animal sacrifices and other aspects of temple worship.
Through Calvary, Jesus had laid the foundation for His unshakeable kingdom to emerge among men. And those who believed in Him were to now recognize and receive it. Salvation would not be found anywhere else. Through His obedience He had become the only source of eternal salvation (Hebrews 5:7 - 10). His disciples simply needed to live in harmony with Him and with each other.
So, in his closing remarks, the writer to the Hebrews began to draw their attention to some obvious kingdom priorities. They were to love one another, to be hospitable to strangers, to remember their incarcerated brethren, and to honor their marriage covenants (Hebrews 13:1 - 4). And they were not to give any place to greed.
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,” so that we confidently say, “THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?”
The acquiring of possessions can neither bring fulfillment nor make us feel more secure – two main reasons why many pursue riches. God’s answer to greed/coveting is that we recognize the sufficiency of the gift of His own presence to us. Because He has committed Himself to us, to never forsake us, we now have His supernatural peace in our hearts to confidently face the future and even the scheming of evil men.
And then, we must honor those who lead us.
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.
Biblical Christian leadership is not rooted in holding a position within an organized religious structure. Rather, it is found in those who love God, hear His word, and then live out their faith in such a way that others aspire to follow their example. Such was how the heroes of faith in the Old Testament had lived. The same was true of the Lord Jesus. And now, even though He was not physically present, He had not changed.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Therefore, the believers were to focus on Him and not simply settle into their national culture based on written law and tradition. One example would be that they not be overly devoted to following strict kosher dietary laws. Proper diet while useful could not in itself strengthen their hearts. Only God’s grace could do that (Hebrews 13:9). Because they were now priests in God’s spiritual house, their diet was drawn from a different altar than the one the temple priests ate from (Hebrews 13:10). On this altar had been sacrificed God’s holy Lamb. He would now be their chief sustenance, their strength, and their fulfillment.
Since under the Old Covenant, the bodies of sacrificial animals were burned outside the camp, so likewise, Jesus in order to sanctify His people through His own blood, had suffered outside the city gate of Jerusalem (Hebrews 13:11 - 12). And because of His resurrection, He now lived on; He really was the same yesterday, today, and forever. Therefore, His followers were to now go to Him embracing the reproach He bore at His crucifixion (Hebrews 13:13).
The reason the believers faced reproach was because they were now identifying with an emerging brand–new city – the city of the living God, the new Jerusalem. They had come to it (Hebrews 12:22), while at the same time they were to continue seeking it.
For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come (the coming one we seek – Youngs Literal Translation).
This city had now broken into human history and yet it was still coming. And it took faith to both see it and to welcome its arrival.
So, with a new city and a new altar, how was this new priesthood to function? What were its sacrifices to look like?
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Here was priestly ministry not tied to physical buildings such as the temple but to lives that expressed in practical terms in every place a Heaven–birthed faith focused on Israel’s newly revealed Messiah. As believers offered worshipful thanksgiving to Him and then served others around them, they were expressing Christ’s redefinition of priestly ministry.
The apostle Paul pointed to this truth when he referred to his ministry as being that of a priest whose offering unto the Lord was the Gentiles he had served through the gospel (Romans 15:16). He then referred to his own personal life as a poured-out drink offering in service unto Christ (Philippians 2:17; 2Timothy 4:6).
This was Christian leadership that could be followed.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
The Greek word translated as obey in the verse above is PEITHO which conveys the idea of persuasion. Believers were to be open to being persuaded by those who led them. Since the leaders’ authority would not be dependent on holding a position or having a title next to their name, they would need to seek God’s wisdom on how to speak persuasively concerning what He was showing them. New Testament leaders would have to be humble and see their great need for the grace of God. Their goal would not be to see what would benefit them; it would be about Christ – His glory, His purpose, His timing.
As a result, true spiritual leadership would recognize how much they needed God’s help and would want the people to pray for them. They would simply have no confidence in their own ability.
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner.
Finally, in his closing statements, the writer turned the believers’ attention to the Lord God of heaven and earth. He was their hope that they would succeed in His purpose. He had raised Jesus from the dead and He would now equip them (NASB), make them complete (NKJV), make them what they ought to be (AMP) so that they could do His will on earth. And through Christ, to whom belonged all the glory, He would work in them what was pleasing in His sight (Hebrews 13:20 - 21).
It is interesting to note that the writer of this amazing epistle saw it as a brief exhortation (Hebrews 13:22). I have to admit that I never thought of it as such but more as an extensive treatise. But whether brief or lengthy, it certainly had a depth of insight into the transition Jewish believers were facing in the first century. And it clearly has life, strength, and spiritual food for us in our day.
Finally, he concludes with his desire that accompanied by Timothy, he would see them soon and that the grace of God would be with them all (Hebrews 13:23 - 25).
May the Lord bless to the reader this simple study of His word. Amen.
Donald Rumble – November 2021
Search Comments
This page has been visited 0064 times.
| << | Contents | >> |
1 Name : Bunny otterbeckClick to compress comments
Subject: Hebrews
Time : 2021-11-03 06:42:49
Thanks Donny,
Appreciate this teaching!
God bless you.
10 per page